Knesset speaker despairs 'intolerable' low of debate over Gaza flotilla
Reuven Rivlin deplores parliamentary standards after unruly MKs hurl abuse across assembly chamber.
By Haaretz Service
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Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin MK, April 26, 2010 |
| Photo by: Emil Salman |
The speaker of the Knesset, Reuven Rivlin, on Tuesday deplored the standard of parliamentary debate in Israel as having hit new lows after a stormy session on issues pertaining to the Israel Navy's raid of a Gaza-bound flotilla saw verbal abuse hurled across the assembly chamber.
"All of the floodgates have burst in all directions, to the extent that it is no longer tolerable," Rivlin said in an interview with Army Radio.
Debate in Israel's always vibrant legislature often takes a strident tone. But Monday's committee discussion on a move to strip parliamentary privileges from Hanin Zuabi, an MK who traveled aboard a Gaza-bound protest flotilla raided by Israel last week, spawned more than the usual raucous.
"Get back to Gaza, you traitor," shouted one Likud party MK, Miri Regev, in Arabic at one point during the debate.
Another Likud MK, Yohanan Plesner, teased Zuabi for being "38 and single", before also suggesting the Israeli Arab MK might feel more at home in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
"There is a severe deterioration in the quality of debate, in the standard of behavior and in the freedom members allow themselves, whether to gain headlines or strike down proposals," Rivlin said.
At the end of Monday's session, the committee voted seven to one in favor of striking down Zuabi's privileges, with only Ilan Ghilon of the left-wing Meretz party against. The motion will now go before the Knesset plenum.
But Knesset's legal adviser, Eyal Inon, said that even if the resolution passed a plenary vote, it was still a recommendation and held no real significance.
Zuabi and other Israeli Arab MKs have faced heavy criticism and even threats in the wake of last week's raid, in which nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed.
On Monday, two MKs, Talab al-Sana and Ahmad Tibi, both said they had received death threats. Tibi said he was sent letters calling him a "dirty Arab" and telling him his "days were numbered". A fax sent to Sana's office said simply, "you're dead".
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Truly frightening to see McCarthyism arrive in Israel.
for every body out of Israel, the incidents with the flotilla specially the info related with the non concensus and non "regular" law procedure for to aprove the militar intervention, is showing a wickedness in the democratic structure of gobernancy in Israel. some newspapers in europe speak about the fragility and the end of civil democracy in the israelian society supported by the idea of a super predominium of militar actitudes and power in the political and judicial state of Israel. thanks
Fair and balanced with an open mind wanting peace rather than stealing land. . .
Hello, i'm just wondering... is this normal in Israel, that a Knesset Member is attacked for beeing "38 and single"? That arab Members of the Knesset are attacked like this ("traitor", death threats) leaves the feeling, that there are some fundamentalists IN the Knesset? Perhaps many people are not even surprised about this. But do you think thats good, normal and helpful? Will the Knesset be a pool of only fundamentalists in some years?
the stress and anger of the israeli jews is boiling over. you can see it on the streets, and its only enforced among our politicians. this is extremely frightening; israeli's lack politeness and respect, and when people don't listen to each other, there will be no hope, only hate. this is only expected in this country.
In spain, Reuven, an israeli citizen who came for tourism was condemned to 11 years in jail (in alicante) paying for israel´s image and israel´s crimes. Now every israeli will pay the price of the occupation, if the police wanted to caught the agressors they could but they didn´t, that´s because israeli tourists don´t worry them,the oppossite. Israel must change it´s policy because became the first cause of antisemitism in the world.
listen Vanya, it does not matter what Jewish person does it is simply impossible to satisfy voracious antisemites. They are not pleased that their hands where cut short with creation of Israel where Jews can celebrate and not hide who they are. Anywhere you look in the world you see Jewish mind be that Science, Medicine, Art, Movies, Architecture and so on.. Let me say one more thing Ivan what you are saying is a Pure Unadulterated ENVY!!! Be truthful with yourself antisemites you are envious of Jewish mind and Jewish success.
Growing up when I did in Britain I never really understood antisemitism. Weve had problems in Britain with racism over the years, but in modern times people in Britain have not generally had a cause to be antisemetic at all. Indeed we can thank the Jews for the whole banking system which underpins western liberal democracy. Zionism however is a philosophy within Judaism, and is not necessarily even supported by all Jews, because many see the implications that its strict adherence has on ordinary peoples lives in the holy lands who do not happen to be Jewish. If people who doubt ultrazionism are painted as antisemitic, the Israeli mindset will never open itself up to true negotiation, and noone, ultimately, will ever get what they want. The Israelis have to change their mindset, or be open to an alternative viewpoint, since there are many people outside their country who want that nation to succeed, but they are equally troubled by the application of methods which to the neutral observer appear more and more apartheidesque.
... it is you yourself, amongst others, who is responsible for infuriating political pronouncements at every public occasion... ... the unruly knesset members are following in your wake...
... start at the top.
Jewish then democratic. That is what comes when the status of citizens is defined by origin and/or religion.
Israeli society at the moment and indeed, some of their contributors on here.