TEL AVIV, February 15, 2011 (WAFA) – The Israeli parliament, Knesset, Monday approved in a final reading a bill called 'the Bishara law.'
This law denies any Knesset member who has violated the law and failed to appear before criminal proceedings, or was convicted of crimes punishable by at least 10 years imprisonment, from receiving their pension fees and other benefits.
The Bishara law was approved by 36 members of the Knesset and opposed by 11.
The bill will prevent former head of Balad movement, Azmi Bishara, from receiving pension fees and other benefits. Bishara is a former Knesset member whom Israeli security had accused him of assisting Hezbollah during the 2006
Head of the National Democratic Rally, Jamal Zahalka, described the law as a political legislation in a heated debate following the vote, and a continuation of political persecution to Azmi Bishara, who currently lives in exile because of it.
MK Mohammad Barakeh also described this law as “motivated by political vengeance.”
Yariv Levin, of the right-wing Likud party, was quoted in the Israeli media as saying that 'taxes of citizens cannot be used to fund traitors who are directing missiles at them.”
He was one of the sponsors of the Bishara bill.
T.R./F.J.
