07-06-2010, 03:02 PM
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/kne...s-1.294669
Knesset recommends revoking Arab MK's privileges
Decision to strip Balad MK Hanin Zoabi of privileges over Gaza
flotilla participation passed by a majority of seven to one; Zoabi to
Haaretz: We are victims of a witch hunt.
By Jack Khoury Tags: Gaza flotilla Israeli Arab Knesset
The Knesset's House Committee on Monday recommended revoking the
privileges of Israeli Arab MK Hanin Zoabi, after she participated in
last week's Gaza-bound aid flotilla which resulted in an IDF raid that
killed nine activists.
Israeli Arab MK Hanin Zoabi
The decision was passed by a majority of seven to one, with MK Ilan
Gilon of Meretz opposing.
The Knesset committee recommended rescinding from Zoabi three key
privileges usually granted to Knesset Members. One is the privilege to
exit the country ? which is supposed to prevent Zoabi from fleeing
Israel if she commits a felony or has debts in Israel.
Another privilege is carrying a diplomatic passport, which according
to the Knesset's legal adviser, is a privilege that does not grant
diplomatic immunity so revoking it would not make it more difficult
for Zoabi to fulfill her duties.
The third privilege is the right to have the Knesset cover litigation
fees of an MK if he or she is put on trial.
The revocation of Zoabi's privileges is conditional on the approval of
the Knesset plenum.
Earlier on Monday, Zoabi told Haaretz that the members of her
Israeli Arab party have been victims of a witch hunt following the
Gaza flotilla affair.
Zoabi told Haaretz that the Knesset discussion, which she and members
of her party boycotted, erodes the boundaries of democracy. Zoabi
said, however, that the Israeli media emphasizes the protests against
her, while in reality, she has received wide support from the Israeli
public.
"I receive messages from people that I don't even know who understand
what I have been saying for months - that Balad party members have
been victims of a witch hunt," Zoabi told Haaretz.
Likud MK Yariv Levin, who serves as chairman of the Knesset House
Committee, said before the discussion that Hanin Zoabi betrayed the
State of Israel and she must be put on trial.
"What Zoabi did crossed the line and even in a democracy there must be
red lines. Whoever sails to Hamas is a supporter of terror," said
Levin.
Knesset recommends revoking Arab MK's privileges
Decision to strip Balad MK Hanin Zoabi of privileges over Gaza
flotilla participation passed by a majority of seven to one; Zoabi to
Haaretz: We are victims of a witch hunt.
By Jack Khoury Tags: Gaza flotilla Israeli Arab Knesset
The Knesset's House Committee on Monday recommended revoking the
privileges of Israeli Arab MK Hanin Zoabi, after she participated in
last week's Gaza-bound aid flotilla which resulted in an IDF raid that
killed nine activists.
Israeli Arab MK Hanin Zoabi
The decision was passed by a majority of seven to one, with MK Ilan
Gilon of Meretz opposing.
The Knesset committee recommended rescinding from Zoabi three key
privileges usually granted to Knesset Members. One is the privilege to
exit the country ? which is supposed to prevent Zoabi from fleeing
Israel if she commits a felony or has debts in Israel.
Another privilege is carrying a diplomatic passport, which according
to the Knesset's legal adviser, is a privilege that does not grant
diplomatic immunity so revoking it would not make it more difficult
for Zoabi to fulfill her duties.
The third privilege is the right to have the Knesset cover litigation
fees of an MK if he or she is put on trial.
The revocation of Zoabi's privileges is conditional on the approval of
the Knesset plenum.
Earlier on Monday, Zoabi told Haaretz that the members of her
Israeli Arab party have been victims of a witch hunt following the
Gaza flotilla affair.
Zoabi told Haaretz that the Knesset discussion, which she and members
of her party boycotted, erodes the boundaries of democracy. Zoabi
said, however, that the Israeli media emphasizes the protests against
her, while in reality, she has received wide support from the Israeli
public.
"I receive messages from people that I don't even know who understand
what I have been saying for months - that Balad party members have
been victims of a witch hunt," Zoabi told Haaretz.
Likud MK Yariv Levin, who serves as chairman of the Knesset House
Committee, said before the discussion that Hanin Zoabi betrayed the
State of Israel and she must be put on trial.
"What Zoabi did crossed the line and even in a democracy there must be
red lines. Whoever sails to Hamas is a supporter of terror," said
Levin.