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Three Arab MKs sanctioned over meeting with terrorist families

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Following a controversial meeting last week with the families of Palestinians whose relatives were killed while attacking Israelis, Joint Arab List MKs Jamal Zahalka, Hanin Zoabi and Basel Ghattas have had their parliamentary activity limited by the Knesset Ethics Committee.

Zahalka, Zoabi and Ghattas had come under fire for meeting with the families and seemingly expressing solidarity with them, particularly by observing a silence in memory of their relatives, described as “martyrs.” The MKs, who all represent the Balad faction of the Joint Arab List, said that they were simply mediating in order to secure the release of bodies of the terrorists. Israel has withheld some of the bodies until the families agree to a low-key burial, for fear that their funerals will become a violent flashpoint.

The Knesset Ethics Committee is said to have received around 450 complaints against Zahalka, Zoabi and Ghattas, including from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edlestein. Leader of the opposition, Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog yesterday told the Knesset plenum that the three MKs “crossed a red line,” while Meretz head Zahava Gal-on condemned their “provocative and damaging act.” The Knesset Ethics Committee banned all three from addressing the plenum or Knesset committees, Zoabi and Ghattas for four months, Zahalka for two. However, they will all still be permitted to vote in both forums and will continue to receive full salaries.

Meanwhile, in another response to last week’s meeting, all coalition parties have apparently agreed to support a bill spearheaded by Netanyahu, which would empower a special Knesset majority to suspend on MK. It would require that a simple majority of Knesset members issue a complaint followed by a two-thirds majority vote in favour of suspension.

Also yesterday, the Knesset approved a first reading of a controversial bill spearheaded by Jewish Home’s Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, which will require NGOs to state on all publications if they receive more than 50 per cent of their funding from foreign governments.