Shas party leader Aryeh Deri accuses Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (The Movement) of cutting a deal with the Arab parties to advance her Giyur Bill agenda. Interestingly, in a hearing to address an appeal by Arab MK Hanin Zoabi on Wednesday challenging the Knesset Ethics Committee ousting her from Knesset for six months, five of the six members of The Movement faction were conspicuously absent from the plenum. The Arab MKs sitting on the Ministerial Law Committee absented themselves from the vote on the Giyur Bill earlier in the week.

Deri made his comments in a Knesset plenum session, explaining to his peers that he understands in the Arab MKs absent themselves from votes on the Giyur Bill to permit it to pass, The Movement members will return the favor by absenting themselves from the appeal by Zoabi. Deri is calling for an investigation.

Deputy Minister of Religious Services (Bayit Yehudi) Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan responded as well, accusing The Movement MK Amram Mitzne of becoming Zoabi’s defender.

MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Yaakov Asher added “The vote to expel Zoabi from Knesset revels the deal between the Movement and a large position of Yesh Atid and Arab MKs. Zoabi is saved at the expense of the Giyur Bill”. MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Uri Maklev added “when they fall they go all the way down. It is not surprising the two are working to harm the Jewish People, the Zoabis and the Sterns”.

The Knesset debate surrounding the Ethics Committee decision to oust Zoabi. (Hebrew)

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)