The Israeli parliament (the Knesset) plenum voted today (Wednesday, January 5) to order the House Committee to debate establishing a parliamentary panel of inquiry into left-wing Israeli organizations that allegedly participate in "de-legitimization campaigns against Israel Defense Forces soldiers".

The initiative, brought forth by fascist Foreign Minister Yvette (Avigdor) Lieberman's (from Yisrael Beiteinu faction), called primarily to investigate the sources of funding for these groups. The panel will essentially be charged with looking into where these groups have been attaining their funds, particularly whether this money "is coming from foreign states or even organizations deemed to be involved in terrorist activities".

The Knesset's approval of the proposal comes after Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein ruled in August that no investigation should be launched against such groups. The initiative has been met with anger from both Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality – Communist Party of Israel) and human rights groups.

The discussion at the Knesset on Wednesday was charged, filled with heckling and interruptions. A significant number of security guards were on hand to prevent physical altercations between the opposing members of Knesset.

MK Fania Kirshenbaum (Yisrael Beiteinu ), who submitted the proposal, alleged during the debate that the groups targeted for investigation were to blame for foreign actions aimed at de-legitimizing Israel and its officials.

"These groups provide material to the Goldstone commission [which investigated the murderous Gaza war] and are behind the indictments lodged against Israeli officers and officials around the world," Kirshenbaum said, referring to a series of arrest warrants issued over the last few years.

"They are trying to silence the very people who administrate the State of Israel's foreign relations," she declared. "These organizations are responsible for branding IDF soldiers as war criminals and encourage defamations."

In her presentations, Kirshenbaum singled out one group which she claimed went into local Israeli schools to convince pupils that "joining the IDF is unethical" and to advise them how to dodge conscription. While Yisrael Beiteinu had garnered a majority in favor of the proposal before it was brought to vote, the matter raised the ire of human rights groups and left-wing politicians alike.

MK Dov Khenin (Hadash), a leading member of the Communist Party of Israel, slammed in the Knesset both motions, saying McCarthyism "started just as it is starting here – with organizations. Later it spread to the cinema and culture and wiped out people such as Charlie Chaplin, Bertolt Brecht and others. We must follow this path." Hadash chairman, MK Muhammad Barakeh added "This is a proposal of (Avigdor) McCarthy Lieberman. This is a dark day for the Knesset. Another fascist and racist dark day". According to Barakeh: "The persecution campaign against human rights and citizens rights groups has reached a new low."

Sixteen human rights groups signed an open letter protesting the initiative, including ACRI (the Association for Civil Rights in Israel), B'Tselem, Yesh Din, Machsom Watch, the Public Committee against Torture, the Women's Coalition for Peace, Adalah, Mossawa Center, Ir Amim, Physicians for Human Rights and Kav Laoved – Hotline for Migrant Workers. "Investigate us all, we have nothing to hide. You are invited to read our reports and our publications. We will be happy if for a change you relate in a germane way to our questions instead of trying to besmirch us. It did not work in the past and it will not work this time," the letter said.

Next Saturday will be a massive rally in Tel-Aviv against McCarthyism and fascism in Israel held by Hadash and the Communist Party of Israel.