Calls to charge Arab MKs with treason

From Ynet News 20/4/06, by Attila Somfalvi* ...

The support United Arab List-Ta’al Knesset members have shown for the Hamas members whose Israeli citizenship was revoked has infuriated politicians across the political spectrum. Some have called on Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to investigate whether the visit UAL-Ta’al members paid to Hamas representatives in east Jerusalem this week doesn’t legally qualify as treason. Others have demanded that UAL-Ta'al MK Taleb el-Sana be immediately kicked out of the Knesset Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) said that the “Arab MKs proved once again that their loyalties lie with the Palestinian Authority and its leadership, and not with Israel and its laws.” He called on Mazuz to launch an inquiry into the incident to see whether such behavior breaks Israeli law and could be considered treason.

The Likud responded harshly as well, saying, “This shows that the Central Elections Committee made a grave error when it rejected the Likud’s petition to disqualify the UAL-Ta’al list. The close ties between Hamas and the party obligate its disqualification.”

MK Ophir Pines (Labor) harshly criticized the meeting, saying there should be no pardon or compassion for the incident: “Knesset members should learn from (PA Chairman Mahmoud) Abbas, whose harsh condemnation of the suicide bombing was brave and adequate,” Pines said.
He added that he has called for the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to meet as soon as possible to discuss the issue.

MK Aryeh Eldad from the National Religious Party-National Union said, “It appears that no Israeli citizen that supports the existence of Israel as a Jewish nation, would be especially sorry if the Arab MKs who identify with Hamas give up their citizenship and join Abu Tir.”
Fellow NRP-NU party member Effi Eitam demanded of MK Haim Ramon, who heads the Knesset organizing committee, that MK el-Sana be kicked off the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee without delay. “An MK who identifies with and supports Israel’s worst enemies cannot serve on a committee whose task is to ensure Israel’s security. I’m deeply concerned that A-Sana will divulge the sensitive information he has been privy to and endanger Israel’s safety,” Eitam said.

A-Sana is currently serving on the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee as a temporary member, and it is doubtful he will continue to hold the position after the coalition is set up and Knesset committees are reassembled. In the interim period, membership in the Foreign Affairs and Defense and the Financial Committees has been temporarily appointed by the organizing committee.

* Ilan Marciano contributed to the report