Prior to the discussion in the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee of the Knesset on February 23, 2016 on the proposed bill which would allow the Knesset to indefinitely suspend any member of that body for “inappropriate behavior,” the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) released a position paper on the proposed legislation. It should be emphasized that a final version of the proposal has not been published. Accordingly, ACRI’s comments at this stage are based on the information published in the media.

According to the ACRI: “We must clarify from the outset that we oppose this proposed law. Granting powers to Members of Knesset, by means of a political procedure, to suspend or depose serving Members of Knesset violates the right to vote and to be elected and harms the foundations of democracy.”

Hadash MK Dov Khenin (Joint List) also spoke out against the bill. “This is a dark moment in the history of the Knesset and of the Legislative Committee. The Prime Minister wants Arab citizens of Israel not to vote so as to ensure a majority to continue his rule. Netanyahu’s message to the Arab citizens of this country is: ‘If your MKs annoy the Jews, we’ll take away their membership in the Knesset. You don’t have any chance of influencing what goes on here.’”

The full position paper (8 pages, in English): http://www.acri.org.il/en/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Suspension-of-MKs-0216.pdf

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