Thousands flock to funeral of Palestinian-Israeli Knesset member Said Al-Harumi

Thousands flocked to commemorate a Palestinian-Israeli Knesset member who died suddenly after suffering a heart attack in southern Israel on Wednesday.

Said Al-Harumi, 49, from the Ra'am Party, was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack, but he was soon pronounced dead.

"May God have mercy on Said and guide him in peace. We extend our condolences to Said's family and the people of the Negev," the party said in a statement.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, along with other Israeli officials, also offered their condolences to his family and community.

Al-Harumi was buried at the cemetery in the Bedouin town of Shaqib Al-Salam, south of Beersheba.

Thousands attended the funeral, according to Israeli public broadcaster Kan, including Knesset members.

Many more mourners from the area were stuck in traffic and couldn’t reach the funeral in time, Kan reported.

Al-Harumi represented the marginalised Bedouin community in the Naqab area. He served as the head of the Israeli parliamentary Interior and Environmental Protection Committee.

Before taking up his seat, Al-Harumi was an active member of the Islamic movement in southern Israel.

He is expected to be replaced in the Israeli parliament by Iman Khatib-Yasin, a former lawmaker who became the first hijab-wearing member in the Knesset.