MK (Likud) Oren Chazan will be removed for six months from the Knesset plenum, the Knesset’s Ethics Committee decided on Wednesday following five complaints filed against him by Knesset members from various factions.

In addition, the committee decided to deprive MK Chazan of a week’s salary, but he could participate in the votes, and it was also decided that Chazan would not be able to address questions.

Shortly before the committee’s decision, the Knesset plenum held a festive session marking the 69th anniversary of the establishment of the Knesset on Tu B’Shevat, as Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein invited Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to speak.

The complaints against Chazan dealt with what he said to MK (Arab List) Jamal Zahalka in the Knesset corridors, as well as with remarks he made to MK (Machane Tzioni) Michal Biran, and remarks uttered to MK (Arab List) Ahmad Tibi and in his confrontation with MK (Arab List) Abd al-Hakim Haj Yahya during a debate on bills that would allow for the return of the bodies of terrorists.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)