Knesset committee approves probe into left-wing groups
Plenum to make final decision on establishment of two separate panels to investigate 'foreign governments' involvement in funding of rights groups which delegitimize IDF'; opposition not represented by choice
The Knesset House Committee approved on Wednesday the establishment of parliamentary commissions of inquiry into the activity of left-wing organizations, which will be headed by Knesset Member Danny Danon (Likud) and Faina Kirshenbaum (Yisrael Beiteinu).
Ten MKs voted in favor of the move, while six opposed it.
The Knesset plenum will make the final decision regarding the launching of an investigation into the Israeli leftist groups.
Danon's committee will be tasked with examining "foreign governments' involvement in the funding of Israeli left-wing organizations and the purchase of land in Israel."
Danon's committee will include Tzipi Hotovely (Likud), Anastassia Michaeli (Yisrael Beiteinu), Arieh Eldad (National Union) and Avraham Michaeli (Shas).
The second committee will investigate the activity of Israeli organizations which "take part in the delegitimization of the IDF." Apart from Kirshenbaum, the committee will consist of Zeev Elkin (Likud), Miri Regev (Likud), Uri Maklev (United Torah Judaism) and Nissim Zeev (Shas).
The opposition, headed by Kadima, decided against being represented in the committees.
The Knesset's legal adviser, Eyal Yinon, wrote in a white paper that the two proposed panels set a dangerous precedent in that they would probe "organizations that are identified with only one side of the political spectrum, which is currently in the opposition.
"These committees, in contrast to previous inquiry committees, propose to deal with what is interpreted as the restriction and limitation of fundamental rights in a democracy, including those of freedom of expression, of protest and of political organization," he wrote.
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