More Arab MKs meet Hamas

Knesset Member Jamal Zahalka (National Democratic Assembly) warned Thursday that the decision to strip Hamas legislators from their residence status and evict them from East Jerusalem is a dangerous move.

"Evicting members of the Palestinian parliament from Jerusalem will lead to serious deteriorsation," Zahalka said during a visit to Hamas parliamentarians in Jerusalem with his party colleague Wasil Taha.

On Wednesday, United Arab List-Ta'al MKs visited Hamas parliamentarians in East Jerusalem.

Zahalka, who labeled the meeting a "solidarity visit", said: "Israel's decision, if implemented, means the continuation of the eviction policy against the Palestinians, which we oppose vehemently."

The National Democratic Assembly is opposed to the decision of evicting Palestinians from Jerusalem through revoking their residence status, especially when it comes to public figures.

National Democratic Assembly MKs on their way to the meeting (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Asked if he sees any damage in the visit in light of Hamas's know stance on Israel and its refusal to condemn that suicide attack in Tel Aviv, Zahalka said: "We came to express our position on the eviction and not to investigate the political beliefs of our hosts. We believe that every person who lived in the city before the occupation has the right to continue living here without threats of revoking his rights and status."

'We are here to express our solidarity'

Zahalka said visits by Arab MKs to Hamas parliamentarians are appropriate.

"We are here to express our solidarity and protest against the decision to revoke residences. When it comes to Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, it is a policy of eviction, and this a very dangerous phenomenon, and every Jew or Arab who believes in human rights should voice opposition. It is a decision that can only be described as revenge, but it is bound to further deteriorate the situation between the sides," he said.

On Wednesday United Arab List-Ta'al MKs, including Ahmed Tibi and Talab El-Sana visited Hamas parliamentarians in East Jerusalem after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decided to revoke their residence status for their failure to condemn Monday's suicide bombing attack in Tel Aviv.

Kadima MK Haim Ramon said Thursday that United Arab List-Ta'al MK Talab El-Sana will have trouble serving as a member of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee because of the visit.

According to Tibi, the attack on the party's members must be stopped. He also stated that the faction will not accept any punitive measures against it because of the visit.

Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report