'We have to clean out the stables'

JERUSALEM - The Knesset approved Wednesday a proposal submitted by Knesset Member Aryeh Eldad (National Unity) to establishment a committee to investigate the recent "corruption revelations in Israel's government."

The government was unable to overturn Eldad's initiative, as most government members were outside the Knesset at the time of the vote and did not participate.

One senior Likud minister told Ynet he is satisfied with the Knesset's decision to assemble a committee for the purpose of investigating government corruption.

"It's about time the Knesset investigates what is happening here," he said.

Eldad was able to achieve a majority vote with the help of support from the Likud rebels and Labor party members, who told the National Union party they intended not to participate in the vote.  

Eldad also enlisted the support of Shinui, Shas and the Arab parties, who promised to vote in favor of the bill.

'Disengagement is Sharon's mask'

The Knesset's House Committee will now have to approve the initiative before it may be implemented.

The committee is expected to pass the initiative, as 11 out of the 21 members are set to vote in its favor.

The House Committee, headed by Sharon-supporter Ronnie Bar-On, must assemble the special parliamentary committee within 30 days or recommend to overturn the decision, which would result in the initiative being returned to a Knesset vote once more.

Eldad told Ynet his initiative is not a right-winged political move against Sharon, as Shinui, Shas and the Arab parties have all showed their support.

"It's clear to everyone that the disengagement only constitutes a mask for Sharon, despite the corruption in which he is involved," he said. "We have to clean out the stables; the disgust has reached an all-time low."

Politically motivated?

House Committee member Ronny Brison (Shinui) said he too would support the proposal to establish the investigative committee.

"Shinui has decided to spearhead the war against corruption," he said. "The corruption is like cancer and if we don't cut it off and take it out, it will destroy us all."

He claimed Eldad's motive for the committee is political with the intention of taunting Sharon.

"Everything will be investigated and if Eldad, who is considered a respectable person, will head it, I have no doubt he will investigate the money transfers that have been passed (to settlements) beyond the Green Line for years."