BICOM

The first stage in impeachment proceedings took place yesterday against a Joint Arab List MK, who is accused of aiding convicted Palestinian security prisoners, undermining state security.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit’s office said earlier this month that MK Basel Ghattas will be charged with the prohibited use of property for terrorist purposes as well as fraud and breach of trust. Ghattas was caught last month allegedly smuggling phones to Palestinian prisoners convicted of killing Israelis, including Walid Daka, who has been serving a life sentence since 1984 for his involvement in the murder of IDF soldier Moshe Tamam.

Likud Minister Ze’ev Elkin began proceedings against Ghattas by enacting a July 2016 law which allows Knesset members to expel colleagues under certain circumstances.

Elkin submitted a petition to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein in support of impeaching Ghattas, signed by 72 Knesset members. Edelstein confirmed receiving the signatures and said he hopes “that this will be the last time” the law is invoked.

Yesh Atid agreed to sign the petition, enabling Elkin to secure the requisite support of at least 70 MKs, including at least ten opposition MKs. However, it is unclear whether the impeachment proceedings will succeed. The Knesset House Committee must approve the request by a three-quarters majority before at least 90 of the 120 MKs support the impeachment in the Knesset plenum.

The opposition Zionist Union yesterday urged the Joint Arab List to voluntarily expel Ghattas or else the party will “allow its members to vote as they please”. Zionist Union MKs appear split on the impeachment, with some opposing the principle of removing a fellow MK. Successful impeachment would require significant opposition support.

Also yesterday, Ghattas was questioned in a separate case on suspicion of receiving bribes, falsifying documents and money laundering.

The case is part of an investigation into Ghattas’s Balad faction, whose two other Knesset members have been criticised by various politicians for inflammatory rhetoric and actions in the past.