Druze MK seeks immunity in indictment over Syria meeting
Balad's Said Naffaa says meetings in Syria arguing fall under his duties as a member of Knesset.
By Jonathan Lis Tags: Menachem Mazuz Syria Israel newsMK Said Naffaa asked the Knesset on Monday to enforce his immunity as to protect him from a recently submitted indictment accusing him of contacting enemy agents.
Last December, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz said he intended to indict Naffaa over an alleged 2007 Syria meeting with Talal Naji, deputy chief of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and visiting the offices of Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal, although he was not present at the time.
The prosecution accused Naffaa at the time of having "knowingly contacted a foreign agent without a reasonable explanation for doing so."
The Balad MK sent a letter to Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin on Monday in which he rejected the accusations leveled against him, arguing that the meetings he held in Syria fall under his duties as a member of Knesset.
In his letter, Naffaa indicated the reasons for which his immunity as a MK protects him from the current indictment.
"The offences attributed to me in the indictment are considered actions done for and during my line of duty," he wrote.
Naffaa added that he thought that "the indictment was prepared and the intention to submit exists as a result of an attempt to targeting me, while other MKs and public figures have been suspected of similar offences."
"My work in the Knesset as well as my ability to represent my constituents will be severely damaged if criminal proceedings are pursued against me," the Balad MK said, adding that a decision not to go ahead with the indictment "would not significantly harm the public interest."
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Doesn't the Israeli statute remind you of some ridiculous excuse the Chinese give for slamming one of their pro-democracy dissidents in jail? In a democracy, an elected representative enjoys the right to criticize the government and to meet with whomever he deems appropriate to further the interests of his constituents. If an American Congressman wants to go meet with Fidel Castro, he is free to to do, and many have. They don't have to worry about being indicted.
What a missed oportunity, as usual for the Palis. Israeli MKs of Arab origin hold the unprecedented advantage and opportunity to create a dialogue and cooperation with Arab countries. Who better to further the causes of peace than them. They of course do the opposite by going to these countries to critisize and blast Israel, not to look for solutions. They misrepresent their country and most of their constituents. Just another bolt in the quagmire of the insoluble Middle East
no big deal..it's important for leaders to talk with their neighboring couyntries.
It might be a duty to your "constituents" but not to the country in whose legislature you sit.
when you represent a country as a member of parliament you can not meet enemy representatives without making known to the body.
and I am talking about high level treason. Any country in the world would stamp that right in a bud. It is incomprehensible to have Ministers of arab descend showing direct disregard and hatred to the State and still remain in government. Have some pride kick the enemies out, clean out the government..
civilized country . It is only in Israel , nowhere else in the world , where open mortal enemies of the state , who conspire with other mortal enemy countries with which Israel is at war , are given Knesset seats instead of jail cells . Israel is not a normal country as this fact shows .
MK Naffa should be reprimanded severely for his treasoness activity. Regardless of his motives or intentions if Israel has a rule that one can not meet with an enemy states then that is the rule for ALL to follow. Unless he was given permission by the Prime Minister he broke those rules. Former Knesset member Bishara committed treason and he knows that at that is the reason he will not dare return to Israel. Israeli government needs to crack down on some of these Arab knesset members who use their position to delegitimize the state they represent and at worst compromise her security with contacting enemy states.