Three Knesset Members who abandoned the Gil Pensioners Party withdrew their proposal to form a new Knesset faction representing Russian-born billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak's Social Justice party. Their cancellation of the request came Monday afternoon, as a Knesset committee was debating whether to approve the amalgamation with Gaydamak's political party, which has yet to run in any elections.
The legal advisor for the Knesset, Nurit Elstein, said on Sunday that the Pensioners defectors, MKs Moshe Sharoni, Sarah Marom-Shalev and Elchanan Glazer, may have violated Knesset rules by agreeing to join up with Gaydamak. Elstein decided to examine the legality of the new faction following a request from the Pensioners Party Knesset faction chairman MK Yitzchak Galanti.
MK Sharoni, who led the walkout from the Pensioners Party, explained that he will study the relevant legal opinions and re-submit the request after he consults with attorneys. "But I ask," Sharoni added, "What took so long? The agreement was signed on May 1. Today, we are 18 days after the fact - why? Did they not have enough time to examine the clauses?"
Sharoni said that he is willing to take the matter up with the Supreme Court if it becomes necessary. "And I will sue whoever is involved [in blocking the formation of the new faction]. This is harassment. It is immoral. It's not fair," the MK charged.
Pensioners Party leader MK Rafi Eitan said the withdrawal of the proposal was expected, because MK Sharoni knew that the Knesset panel would not approve formation of the new faction.
Calling those people questioning the legality of the proposed formation of the Social Justice Knesset faction "irresponsible," Gaydamak claimed, "Everything was done according to law."
Monday morning, Gaydamak was questioned at the Petach Tikva Police Headquarters over suspicions that he has been involved in money laundering. The Russian-Israeli businessman claimed that the years of investigation into his affairs by the Israeli police have been "to satisfy their personal interests."