Head of the Labor Knesset faction, MK Yoram Marciano, asked yesterday for the House Ethics Committee to discuss his in volvement in a brawl with security guards at a Herzliya nightclub last week.
Marciano yesterday accepted full responsibility for his behavior and asked the panel to discuss the issue even though no formal complaint had been lodged against him. His lawyer, Eldad Yaniv, said the MK apologized "wholeheartedly to the security company and its staff if they had been in any way offended." Marciano's attorney reported his client had written that he was "ashamed and remorseful about the affair, that taught him a lesson as to how MKs should behave." In his letter, Marciano apologized to the Knesset and its speaker, Acting President Dalia Itzik.
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Ethics Committee Chairman MK Haim Oron refused to address Marciano's complaint until the committee discussed the material. He did, however, note that this was the first time during his chairmanship that an MK initiated disciplinary proceedings against himself.
Labor MK Danny Yatom responded by saying that regardless of Marciano's apology, he could no longer serve as faction head if he had, as the media reported, assaulted security guards and harassed female parliamentary assistants. Such grave misconduct, Yatom said, was inappropriate for an MK and head of a parliamentary faction. Yatom said he would demand Marciano explain his behavior at Labor's next meeting and only then, Yatom would he decide whether to demand Marciano's removal from his post.
The Israel Police were likewise unimpressed by Marciano's apology. Following the incident, the security guards filed a complaint of assault at Glilot police station against Marciano and one of his friends. The MK filed a counter-complaint of assault against the guards.
According to police sources, security cameras at the scene corroborated the security guards' version. Therefore, even if the guards withdraw their complaint, the police would continue to investigate the evidence of criminal activity.
Real threats or 'cheap smears'?
One of the guards claimed Yoram Marciano had spat into his ear, swore at him and insulted his mother. Another guard complained that in addition to assaulting him, Marciano threw out a threat, boasting his connections with Netanya crime figure Riko Shirazi, who would "take care" of the guards at Marciano's request. Marciano denied all the allegations, calling them "cheap smears" and said he would agree to a polygraph test to resolve the whole matter.
A photographer at the nightclub also filed a complaint against Marciano and one of his friends, claiming that the MK had threatened him for taking pictures.
The relevant information regarding the case is expected to be transferred in the next few days to the Investigations & Intelligence Department under Major General Yohanan Danino, who will decide how to handle the case and whether to recommend that Marciano be indicted.
Given the allegedly clear-cut evidence against Marciano from the security cameras, it is doubtful that the case would be closed for lack of public interest.
It appears the row occurred after Marciano had asked the guards to let him leave the bar through the back door. When the request was declined and Marciano was asked to leave via the front door, the Labor whip reportedly attacked the guards and tried to force his way out. Marciano claimed the security guards punched him.
Marciano intends to file a request to the police through attorney Nevot Tel Tzur for a conciliatory meeting with the nightclub security staff, after coming to the conclusion that the incident has escalated beyond control.
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