Knesset Committee Approves “Expulsion Law” for Second and Third Reading in the Parliament

Jerusalem, 18 July, 2016 (TPS) -- The Constitution, Law and Justice Committee in the Knesset approved the law proposal that would enable lawmakers to expel a fellow member of parliament, and the law bill will be brought to second and third reading. The comittee rejected revisions filed against the controversial bill.

According to the bill, a majority of 90 MKs in the 120-seat Knesset would have the power to boot a fellow lawmaker from the parliament for incitment to racism or supporting an armed struggle against Israel. It would not be possible, however, to expel an MK during an elections campaign.

A request to oust an MK will first be presented to the Knesset speaker, who will discuss the request with the Knesset Committee. If at least 75% of the committee members support the request, it will be brought to a vote in the Knesset plenum. The expelled lawmaker will be allowed to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

The law proposal is controversial and many opposition members have criticized it as an anti-democratic law that targets Arab MKs. In protest, opposition members did not participate in today’s discussion and votes.