Ahmad Tibi
Ahmad TibiFlash 90

MK Danny Danon (Likud) slammed MK Ahmad Tibi's intention to speak at a memorial service for late PLO arch-terrorist Yassir Arafat in Ramallah on Tuesday.

"Tibi continues his treacherous line toward Israel and represents a fifth column in the Knesset," Danon said. "To support Arafat is incitement to terrorism and requires the removal of Tibi's station once and for all - he belongs in Ramallah's parliament."

Tibi served as a political advisor to PLO leader Yassir Arafat for several years and represented the Palestinian Authority in the 1998 Wye River negotiations - a post he resigned in order to run for the Knesset.

MK Yariv Levin (Likud) turned to Defense Minister Ehud Barak to demand he exercise his authority to prevent Tibi from leaving Area A [those areas administered by the PA -Ed.] and returning to Israel. Area A is off limits to Israelis, but Ramallah is located there.

"Tibi is again trying to take advantage of his position and privileges granted to him as a Knesset member to stand center stage at a terrorist rally designed to harm the state of Israel and its citizens," Levin said.

"This betrayal must end and we must ensure Tibi's trip to Ramallah is a one way trip with no turning back," he added.

Levin is not the first MK to suggest Tibi not be allowed to depart Area A should he choose to go there.

In 2002, MK Michael Kleiner initiated actions in the Knesset to restrict Tibi's movement in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza asserting Tibi was assisting the PLO in its war against Israel.

Tibi protested Kleiner's move, saying it violated Israel's Basic Laws of Individual Freedom. Tibi petitioned Israel's High Court of Justice, which in this case, demurred from issuing a ruling on the matter. Ultimately, the Knesset did not restrict Tibi’s movement.

The court did rule in Tibi's favor during the 2003 elections, however, saying his close ties to the PLO did not disqualify him from holding office.

MK Ahmad Tibi is expected to ignore the warnings and address a mass rally on Tuesday in Ramallah marking seven years since the death of arch-terrorist Yasser Arafat. He is also expected to address the PA Assembly.