Controversial bill threatens Israel's Arab MKs with suspension
The Knesset is getting closer to passing the proposed suspension bill, which some fear would allow Arab members to be suspended over loosely defined violations.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Knesset ratified the first reading of Israel's suspension bill, which allows the suspension of Knesset members and targets Arab lawmakers on charges of committing treason or supporting any terror or hostility toward Israel. Lawmakers voted 59-53 in favor of the bill March 28.
On March 29, Shin Bet head and former Likud Knesset member Avi Dichter attacked the head of the Arab List, Ayman Odeh, threatening that he might end up like Hamas leaders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi, assassinated by Israel in 2004.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the suspension bill after having led a campaign of incitement against Knesset members Jamal Zahalka, Haneen Zoabi and Bassil Ghattas from the Joint List's Balad Party. The legislators had met with the families of Palestinian men who were killed Feb. 2 while attacking IDF soldiers. The families had requested that the Knesset members help them recover the bodies of their children for burial.
On Feb. 8, the Knesset’s Ethics Committee decided to suspend the three Knesset members from their duties. Zoabi and Ghattas were suspended for four months and Zahalka for two months.
