The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee on Tuesday passed in a first reading a private bill calling for the suspension of an MK convicted of a 'shameful' crime.

The bill was initiated by MK Gilad Erden (Likud) and MK Shelly Yachimovitch (Labor).

Presently, there is no law which obligates the automatic suspension of an MK who is convicted of a crime. The law holds that the House Committee is authorized to suspend a convicted MK during his or her trial, pending a verdict.

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The committee also decided that an MK convicted of a crime and sentenced to a prison term, even if it is not considered a shameful crime, wouldautomatically be suspended for theduration of his or her sentence.

MK Arden said that the bill would increase public faith in the Knesset, and prevent situations in which a Knesset member that was convicted of a crime would continue take part in the legislative process.

"It is not acceptable for criminals to sit in Knesset," MK Erden said. The committee's chairman, MK Menachem Ben-Sasson (Kadima) said that the bill should be considered part of an obligation that Knesset members take upon themselves.