Last update - 00:00 19/09/2006
Ethics c'tee bars Arab MK from plenum over remarks on Lebanon war
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent
The Knesset Ethics committee banned Balad MK Jamak Zahalka from attending three plenum meetings on Tuesday over statements he made regarding the Lebanon war.
Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik called to have the MK suspended for interrupting speakers with catcalls and offensive remarks, including calling opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu the "angel of death."
United Arab List chairman Ibrahim Sarsur was also denied entry to one Knesset meeting after calling Defense Minister Amir Peretz a "murderer."
After the committee made its decision to remove Zahalka from the plenum, the MK said the ethics panel "has adopted a policy of discrimination and mouth-shutting spearheaded by the Knesset speaker. It is a political decision, unfair and detrimental to parliamentary work."
According to Zahalka, Itzik's move to suspend him was made public even before it was presented to the ethics committee, and thus it should be dismissed.
"The very act of discussing the request is a blatant violation of the rules and reeks of politicization and discriminatory behavior," Zahalka said.
Zahalka is set to be questioned on Wednesday over his recent trip to Syria. Balad Chairman Azmi Bishara and his fellow party member Wasal Taha will also be quizzed on the affair, as well as a former MK from the faction.