MK (Bayit Yehudi) Betzalel Smotrich is opposed to a bill presented by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, fearing that while the bill is intended for use against rebellious Arab Members of Knesset, it will be used against the chareidim in the future. Smotrich spoke with Moshe Glasner of Kol Berama Radio. The bill states that a majority of 90 MKs can vote out colleagues who have crossed the line of acceptable behavior.

Smotrich explained being elected to a public post is at the heart of any democracy and the PM’s bill represents a slippery slope for today it will be used to vote out Arab MKs who are supportive of the families of terrorists and tomorrow it will be used to rid the Knesset of the chareidim.

The actions of PM Netanyahu are prompted by the recent meeting, which was held in an undisclosed location, with a number of Arab MKs and families of terrorists who were killed during the perpetration of an attack during recent months. The Arab MKs explained they were simply expressing sympathy to the bereaved families of these terrorists.

He warns against such a bill, which he feels can easily backfire in the future.

Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel however feels the bill is good and he has announced his support or it. He explains that “Finally, we have come to realize there is a limit and in this case, it appears to me the boundary of what is acceptable has been crossed. The bill is not aimed at Arabs, Druse of Jews specifically, but addresses Knesset eligibility, adding there is an issue with some Jews as well. He feels that coming out in support of murderers is however according to all, representative of crossing the line of acceptable behavior.

Following the meeting involving the Arab lawmakers, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has ordered a probe to determine what if any legal lines have been crossed by their actions.

Note: Smotrich and Ariel are both members of the Tekuma faction of Bayit Yehudi, yet divided on this bill.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)