Christian Arab MK Nadia Hilou (Labor) burst into visible tears on the Knesset plenum floor Wednesday when two laws that would have cancelled the unification of Arab municipalities failed to get the necessary votes to pass.
Hilou and other Arab and pro-Arab MKs shouted and made emotional speeches when the two laws received only 49 votes in favor vs. one opposed. Because the laws are budgetary ones, they need to receive the support of at least 50 MKs in order to become law.
'Racism'
The MKs accused Kadima and other parties of racism because they voted in favor of an identical law that cancelled the unification of two Druze municipalities. However, when the time came for voting on the splitting of Arab municipalities, the Kadima Knesset members left the floor and did not vote, thus preventing the laws from receiving a majority of 50 MKs.
The two Druze municipalities which were disconnected from each other are Dalyat El-Carmel a
MK Ariel: "Israel has a true partnership with the Druze and an obligation to assist them."
nd Usfieh in the Galilee. The two municipalities were united five years ago and renamed "Ir Hakarmel." The unification was meant to reduce corruption and unnecessary spending but has met opposition from politicians.
The Arab municipalities that were not split from other are Baka and Jat in Wadi Ara as well as Majd El-Krum, Deir el-Assad and Baaneh.
'Blackest days'
Arab Mks shouted that this was racism. MK Ahmed Tibi blamed the Israel Beitenu faction of walking out on purpose when it came time to vote on the laws pertaining to Arabs and MK Ahmed Barakeh said this was "one of the blackest days in the annals of the Knesset."
Minister of the Interior Meir Sheetrit expressed satisfaction at the failure of the laws and claimed this was in the communities' interest. The initiative to split the municipalities was led by those who want to run for office in the new municipality that would have been created had the measure passed, he said.
MK Uri Ariel (National Union / National Religious Party) explained that his faction supported the splitting of the Druze municipalities and not the Arab ones because "Israel has a true partnership with the Druze and an obligation to assist them."