Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., April 04, 2008 Adar2 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:48 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

MK Ahmad Tibi. (Moran Maayan / Jini) Last update - 14:46 04/04/2008 Bill banning MKs from visiting hostile states goes to plenum By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Knesset, Israel  A bill approved in committee Tuesday would ban anyone who has visited a hostile state for running for the Knesset for seven years after the visit. The bill, sponsored by National Religious Party chairman Zevulun Orlev and MK Esterina Tartman (Yisrael Beiteinu), creates an exception for people who can prove their visit was not to express support for an armed struggle by that state or by a terror organization against Israel. Now that the Knesset House Committee has approved the bill, it will be sent to the Knesset plenum for a first reading. Advertisement The bill originally stated that anyone visiting a hostile state would be considered to be supporting an armed conflict against Israel andtherefore ineligible for the Knesset. The language was softened after Deputy Attorney General Yehoshua Schoffman argued that this was unconstitutional. The bill would empower the Central Elections Committee to reject Knesset candidates, who may then appeal to the High Court of Justice. On Thursday it was reported that MK Ahmad Tibi (Ra'am-Ta'al) stopped in Lebanon on his return from a visit to Yemen. He rejected reports that he met with Lebanese officials during his visit, which he said consisted of a one-hour layover at the Beirut airport. "This is a controversy over nothing," Tibi said. "The right wing has been drawn into a baseless assault, and it wants to see us [Arab MKs] outside the Knesset by way of fascist laws. I will travel to Lebanon as I please, and not in keeping with right-wing hollering," Tibi added. While in Yemen, Tibi met with senior government officials, including President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and spoke at a university. Related articles: MK Tibi's visit in Beirut sparks rage among Israel's right wing Arab MK Tibi okays consideration of rightist MK's 'racist' bill Bookmark to del.icio.us   Bread will abound J'lem court allows pizzerias, bakeries to sell leavened products during Passover. The looking glass A T.A. film festival tackles Israel's hardest issues from war to polygamy.   1.   Why fascist law Tibi? Is there a better law in Lebanon or Syria? 04:03  |  Genuine Tosefta 04/04/08   2.   Tibi - having his cake and eating it too? 07:41  |  Mike 04/04/08   3.   Tibi`s Tantrums Would Have Left His Kneecaps In Splinters If He . 07:41  |  Lavi 04/04/08   4.   The Arab citizens of Israel. 10:05  |  Jean Van Daem 04/04/08   5.   I hope this bill also applies to any Jew who visits Hamas 12:06  |  Haldrik 04/04/08   6.   Israeli Arabs holding citizenship should be arrested 12:15  |  aaa 04/04/08

Today Online Israel and U.S. to coordinate on boycott of anti-racism meet Responses: 74 Former militant leader: The Palestinian people is finished Responses: 30 Poll: Nearly half of Israeli Arabs say let Iran develop nukes Responses: 21 Syria: We choose peace, but we're ready for Israeli attack Responses: 18 Akiva Eldar: The lie of peace and the nonsense of security Responses: 14 Editorial: What kind of Israel do you want? Responses: 6 Rosner's Domain The Iranian bomb and the chain reaction (WTR) Intermarriage pushes the question: what does it mean to be Jewish? Poll: Who'll win the Jewish vote in PA? Israel Factor: McCain-Barak, the dream team Israelis approve of U.S. leadership (WTR) More Headlines 13:30 Dichter bureau chief hit by Gazan sniper near border 11:00 Syria: We choose peace, but we're ready for Israeli attack 14:13 U.K. Foreign Sec.: Israel's future depends on Palestinian statehood 10:49 Israel, U.S. to coordinate on boycott of Durban II conference 10:47 'Marching toward total ruin' 10:00 Poll: Nearly half of Israeli Arabs say let Iran develop nukes 13:13 Wiesenthal Center blasts Nazi-themed cosmetics ad in S. Korea 11:39 A little tale about donkeys 04:58 Russian-Israelis abroad unaware repatriation program targets them 14:46 Bill banning MKs from visiting hostile states goes to plenum 01:42 ANALYSIS: Zigzag response to Syria tensions doesn't signal war 10:42 Health Ministry: 'Complacence, negligence' cause patient's death Previous Editions Select Day 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar

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