Knesset rejects proposal to outlaw Islamic group

Bill seeking to outlaw northern faction of Islamic Movement fails to pass first reading. Meanwhile Knesset passes preliminary reading of 'Bishara Law' to strip MK's charged with security offenses of financial benefits
Amnon Meranda

The northern faction of the Islamic Movement in Israel will not be outlawed after the Knesset on Wednesday rejected a bill proposal submitted by MK Yisrael Katz (Likud) demanding the group be banned.

The bill was proposed following statements made by group leader Sheik Raed Salah during the tensions surrounding the construction works outside the Temple Mount.

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Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann objected to the bill, through he did not participate in the vote as he is not an MK. A total of 46 Knesset members objected to the bill, 26 voted in favor and one abstained.

MK Katz lashed out at the government following the vote and said that "the behavior of the government is a serious strategic failure which allows Salah and his band to abuse Israeli democracy to destroy it from within, as has happened in other places in the past."

Katz said that following Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip, Israel's policy may lead to Hamas taking over Israel's Arab population whereas in Arab countries such as Jordan and Egypt radical Islamic groups are illegal.

MK Raleb Majadele (Labor) welcomed the rejection of the bill and said "it is unfortunate that Yisrael Katz is trying to run a primary campaign in the Likud on the back of Israeli democratic values."

K Talab El-Sana (United Arab List - Ta'al) called the proposal "racist" and welcomed its rejection.

"The proposal is a reflection of a competition between Yisrael Beitenu and the Likud on 'who can incite more against the Arab public.' It is good that the Knesset has removed this racist vermin from its agenda," said El-Sana.

Salah and his men were arrested four years ago and charged with laundering money for Hamas. Ultimately the State signed a plea bargain with them and they were convicted of engaging a foreign agent, money laundering, maintaining funds for an illegal group and misconduct with illicit property. The group members served a reduced jail sentence and have since then been released.

Knesset: Bishara won't receive benefits

Meanwhile the Knesset passed the preliminary reading of a bill proposing that MK's, past and present, who are under investigation for committing security offenses against the State will immediately stop receiving a salary and/or a pension.

MK David Rotem (Yisrael Beitenu) proposed the bill following the serious charges brought against former MK Azmi Bishara.

"It's absurd that an MK who was elected to faithfully serve the State of Israel acts against it and can then enjoy the benefits he earned as a representative in the Israeli parliament," said MK Rotem. The bill, he said, is meant to "protect democracy from those who wish to stab it in the back."

Roee Nahmias contributed to this article