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Last update - 21:06 30/06/2008 It's official: MKs banned by law from visiting enemy states By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: enemy states, Israeli Arab  The Knesset approved Monday in a second and third reading a law that stipulates that anyone visiting enemy states cannot be elected to Knesset. Under the law, the senior members of all the Arab parties can be disqualified from being MKs. The enemy states in question are Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Advertisement The law was approved by a majority of 52 MKs to 24. The Chairman of the Balad Party, Jamal Zahalka, said in response that the Israeli-Arab MKs would "petition the High Court of Justice demanding to overturn the law and retain the right to visit Arab countries." The basis of the new law is a Basic Law of Knesset that stipulates that anyone who supports an enemy state's armed struggle or a terrorist organization that targets Israel cannot be elected to Knesset. The new law, an amendment to the Basic Law, says that anyone who visits an enemy state will be viewed as someone who supports an armed struggle against Israel, unless the opposite is proven. The law was drafted by MKs Zevulun Orlev (National Union-National Religious Party) and Esterina Tartman (Yisrael Beiteinu). Orlev said following the approval of the law that "as of today, the Arab MKs will have to decide between the Syrian parliament and the Israeli parliament. The law will prevent the infiltration of Trojan horses into the Knesset." Tartman echoed Orlev's sentiments, saying "from now on Israel's citizens can relax. Enemies will no longer sit in the legislative house. This law will restore some of our honor as a people, which has been so far trampled upon." Meretz Chairman Zahava Gal-On said "this law is unworthy, and severely harms the equality of the elections and the representation of the Arab sector in the Knesset." In order to help it withstand a High Court challenge, Orlev and Tartman made efforts to pass the bill with a majority of more than 61 MKs (out of 120 MKs). Israeli Arab MKs said that since it did not garner a 61-MK majority, it would not be upheld by the High court because it harms the principle of equality of elections anchored in the Basic Law. MK Ahmed Tibi (Ra'am-Ta'al) said "we were able to sabotage the efforts to recruit 61 votes. At least the Knesset hasn't "Tartmanized" itself into insanity." A Haaretz poll conducted recently found that six Israeli Arab MKs planned to continue visiting enemy states, despite the new law. MK Wassel Taha said that he would organize a joint trip for all nine Israeli Arab MKs. Related articles: Bill banning would-be MKs who visit enemy countries passes first reading Arab MKs: Bid to bar trips to enemy states is 'racist' The vision of an Arab-free Knesset Bookmark to del.icio.us   Death penalty Iran hands down death sentence to man who spied for Israel. Robot hospital The place where IDF treats droids wounded in the line of fire.   1.   Finnaly a perfect move from this government 22:30  |  JP 30/06/08   2.   about time. also loss of pension and benefits. 22:34  |  ralph 30/06/08   3.   And before anybody in these talkbacks starts screaming about... 23:10  |  Richard 30/06/08   4.   From so-called Democracy to Pure Ethnocracy 00:23  |  observer 01/07/08   5.   "If Granny had Wheels" - she`d be "Jewish Democracy" 00:26  |  paraphrase 01/07/08   6.   When Sadat called upon the Knesset ... 00:48  |  Morris Valentine 01/07/08   7.   What about Israeli prime Ministers and soldiers 01:30  |  Truth 01/07/08   8.   #4 Truth - excellent question 03:08  |  Slibovitz 01/07/08   9.   The perfect solution for an apartheid State. 03:17  |  Deborah 01/07/08   10.   Who is an Arab? 03:18  |  Slibovitz 01/07/08   11.   Finally, Putting Jews and Israel First 04:02  |  Ron 01/07/08

Read & React New law: Israel to cede land only by referendum Responses: 114 Poll: 76% of Israelis feel safer as Jews in Israel than Diaspora Responses: 44 Palestinians who approach Gaza fence will be shot, says IDF Responses: 44 Amir Oren: Don't mess with the Zohan? Don't make us laugh Send response Report: U.S. fears Israel will attack Iran this year Responses: 40 Rosner's Domain Israel's image still under renovation How "respectful" will the 2008 election be? (WTR) Poll: Hezbollah swap - good or bad? Can Israel legally strike Iran with nukes? Is Time's Joe Klein being honest when he criticizes Joe Lieberman? More Headlines 10:16 Report: U.S. fears Israel will attack Iran this year 10:12 Olmert: Let's speed up deal for Shalit 11:00 Lebanon sources: Kuntar to be freed at start of Hezbollah swap 09:08 Despite Hezbollah report, the Ron Arad story is not over 10:05 Palestinians who approach Gaza fence will be shot, says IDF 10:41 Kiryat Gat tells its school girls: No romancing with Bedouin 07:00 Poll: 76% of Israelis feel safer living as Jews in Israel than in Diaspora 12:05 Israel denies it mistreated Gaza journalist at Jordan crossing 10:36 Third round of indirect talks with Syria set to begin in Istanbul 11:44 Israel keeps Gaza crossings closed, as Egypt eases Rafah border 12:07 Haifa-Hadera train services suspended after freight derails 10:43 Want a sex change operation? Consider doing it in Israel 04:22 Haaretz journalist wins investigative reporting award Previous Editions Select Day 30 jun 29 jun 27 jun 26 jun 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun

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