While Arab Israeli MKs called for a probe into the killing of senior Hamas operative Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, MK Carmel Shama (Likud) said that "killing a terrorist like Mabhouh was a kind of mitzvah."
Shama made the remark at a meeting of the Knesset Committee, after MK Taleb a-Sanaa (United Arab List-Ta'al) blasted the committee's refusal to hold a discussion on Mabhouh's assassination in Dubai in January.
"Israel's behavior is like the mafia. According to international law, a crime was committed," Sanaa said. "The entire assassination is captured and documented on camera. The incident must be investigated and [those responsible] must be brought to justice. In a civilized state the prime minister would pay the price and resign," he asserted.
MK Ahmed Tibi (UAL-Ta'al) responded to Sanaa's remarks, saying that the Dubai police chief was the hero of the affair.
"That clown?" Shama asked.
"Israel has not admitted officially to carrying out the hit, but I would be very sorry to learn that Israel was not behind the assassination," Shama said.
"Killing a terrorist like Mabhouh is a kind of mitzvah and it is a shame that the Arab MKs represent terrorists in Gaza and not the interest of the Israeli Arabs. If necessary, I would be willing to give my passport for the next assassination," Shama asserted.
Earlier Tuesday, an Iranian official called Mabhouh's murder an act of Israeli "state terrorism," AFP reported.
"The Dubai assassination is an act of state terrorism on the part of Israel," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in a report by state-run Press TV.
"Israel's existence is itself based on terrorist activities," Mehmanparast reportedly said at a news conference.