After inviting Israeli ambassador for dinner, Egyptian MP finds himself without a job
Egyptian legislator Tawfiq Okasha, who has a habit of angering top Egyptian party leaders, angered them even more by meeting with the Israeli ambassador in Cairo and found himself dismissed from parliament.
Some experts are questioning the reasons for, and constitutionality of, the Egyptian parliament's decision to unceremoniously sack a sharp-tongued and controversial member.
On March 2, the parliament voted to expel Tawfiq Okasha with the approval of 465 members out of the total 490 members who attended the session. Speaker Ali Abdel Aal announced the vacancy of Okasha’s seat and said elections will be held in the latter’s electoral district.
Some described the decision as surprising, especially as Okasha — who was not supported by any coalition or political party in the recent elections — had obtained 94,354 votes in the electoral districts of Talkha and Nabarouh in Dakahlia governorate.
On the face of it, Okasha’s membership was revoked for having invited the Israeli ambassador in Cairo, Haim Koren, to dinner at his home Feb. 24. Some parliament members believed the gathering was an act of normalization with Israel for which Okasha had to be sanctioned, ousted from parliament and even brought before courts.
