Arab MK appeals to High Court over Bishara Act
MK Said Naffaa says recently approved law banning those who visit enemy nations from running for Knesset discriminates against minorities
MK Said Naffaa (Balad) submitted an appeal through attorney Samir Zidan. According to Naffaa the new act infringes on minority rights, including rights pertaining to freedom of movement, the rights to vote and be elected.
By doing so, said Naffa, the act negates one of the Knesset's founding principles - Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty.
“We know that revoking an act is not a trivial matter,” the MK wrote in his appeal. “However, this honorable court utilizes its authority to nullify legislative articles in situations where it is fitting and desirable to do so.
"The case at hand is one of those situations, and it would be fitting of the court to actuate judiciary criticism on the Knesset’s legislation.”
According to Naffaa, “fundamental flaws are found in this provision of law.” He noted that “minorities in Israel have visited Syria in the past years mainly to visit family members.”
He also said that in the realities of the Middle East, families are divided between different countries and their right to meet is “a basic human right, protected under any democratic regime in the world.”
