Jerusalem: A parliamentary committee in the Israeli Knesset voted on Monday to advance the impeachment of Arab lawmaker Ayman Odeh over his welcome of the release of Palestinian detainees.

According to Anadolu Agency, lawmakers in the Knesset House Committee voted 12-2 in favor of the impeachment of Odeh, head of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash). Supporters of the motion included members from the Israeli opposition parties, including Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid Party and Benny Gantz's Blue and White alliance.

"The opposition crossed a red line today. Instead of fighting the Kahanist government - it collaborated with them in crushing the democratic space," Odeh said in a statement. He criticized the opposition, stating, "Some of them hate us more than they love democracy. This is not an opposition - it is a coalition in disguise." Odeh further accused them of attempting to "subdue the judicial system, silence critical voices, and turn Israel into a messianic dictatorship," warning, "Today it's me - tomorrow it's you. Anyone who dares to oppose will be next in line."

The motion is set to move to the Knesset's plenary session, where a majority vote of 90 out of 120 members is required to complete Odeh's impeachment. Despite the advancement of the impeachment process, Odeh will have the option to file a petition against the decision with the Supreme Court if it is approved.

Palestinians of 1948, also known as Arabs inside Israel, make up 21% of Israel's nearly 10 million population.