Arab MK Basel Ghattas has been released from jail, however he is not free, but sent to house arrest. He was also compelled to pay NIS 50,000 bail. Ghattas was taken into custody last week after agreeing to remove his parliamentary immunity. He is suspected of smuggling cellular telephones and components into terrorists imprisoned in Israel’s Ketziot Prison. He continues to deny the allegations against him, insisting the proceedings are nothing more than an attempt to neutralize him politically.

Ironically, he is still permitted to participate in Knesset plenum sessions and will travel to and from his home with a police guard. This is a parliamentarian who is accused and seen on video passing SIM cards to terrorists in prison.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)