Knesset Law Committee Chairman (Bayit Yehudi) MK Nissim Slomiansky has withdrawn the scheduled discussion in the Knesset plenum of the controversial “Suspension Law” that would permit 90 MKs to vote out a colleague whom they feel has spoken out or acted against the interests of the State of Israel. That plenum discussion was to have taken place on Tuesday morning, 7 Adar I.

The initiative for the bill followed the visit to the families of Arab terrorists killed by Israel by Arab Members of Knesset.

Among those outraged over the solidarity visit was Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who instructed the Attorney General to probe the legal viability of such a bill.

Slomiansky’s decision follows Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and President Reuven Rivlin announcing their opposition to the bill. In his objection to the bill, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein stated for as long as he continues serving as speaker, the bill will not be permitted to pass.

However, in an interview with Israel Radio Reshet Bet on Tuesday, 7 Adar I, Edelstein explained that he does believe there is a need for similar legislation, but the wording of the current bill is unacceptable. He feels the wording must address racism and allegiance against the state only, and therefore he will not permit the current bill to advance. Regarding reports that he is “head-to-head” with the prime minister, he stated that he does not view it as so for his objection is not personally directed against the prime minister, adding that while Netanyahu supports the bill, he is not signed on to it and therefore, there is no reason to interpret his opposition as having anything to do with Prime Minister Netanyahu on a personal level.

Edelstein added that Slomiansky decided to cancel the plenum discussion on his own, not in consultation with him.

Slomiansky plans to consult with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s return to Israel. The prime minister is currently in Berlin for talks with Chancellor Merkel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)