Israel Matzav

And ANOTHER international investigation?

Two weeks ago, the Knesset House Committee voted to suspend certain diplomatic privileges of Hanin Zoabi, a first-term Knesset member from Balad, the party once led by Azmi Bishara. The vote was 7-1 with only the representative of the far Left Meretz party dissenting. Zoabi's privileges were suspended because she was a passenger on the Mavi Marmara when IDF Naval commandos were nearly killed on it two and a half weeks ago.

But it turns out that there's something called the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which is an international group of parliamentarians that protects the Zoabi's of the world. And even though the full Knesset has yet to vote to lift Zoabi's diplomatic immunity (the main punishment voted by the House committee - she would also lose her diplomatic passport), the Inter-Parliamentary Union has already decided to 'investigate.'

The Inter-Parliamentary Union on Wednesday asked Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin for clarification regarding the recent recommendation to revoke an Israeli Arab MKs privileges for sailing in May's Gaza flotilla.

...

The IPU, based in Geneva, aims to protect the rights of parliament members, and represents dozens of European legislative bodies, including the Knesset.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union expressed concern over death threats Zuabi has received and over her political censure, and has requested Rivlin address claims about Zuabi's case ahead of a discussion it will hold in the coming weeks.

The union's request comes after MK Jamal Zahalka (Balad chairman) and Zuabi urged international lawmakers to rally for their cause and express solidarity with them against the "unprecedented campaign of incitement, de-legitimization and political persecution."

Balad issued a statement saying its faction member's rights are at stake and added it would continue employ international pressure in order to rein in the incitement and political revenge against it MKs.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union previously considered sending representatives to oversee the legal proceedings against Hadash chairman Mohammed Barakeh, who had been charged with assaulting a police officer during an anti-separation fence rally in the West Bank earlier this year.

Where were they when Meir Kahane HY"D (may God avenge his blood) was prevented from standing for re-election to the Knesset 22 years ago?

'Nuff said.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:30 PM