With the deteriorating security situation at the center of their radars, members of the Knesset are set to convene Monday afternoon for the winter session of the plenum. Among the challenges MKs are expected to tackle are dealing with the security issue, figuring out ways to make the cost of living cheaper – and, most importantly, passing the state budget.
The plenum will be presided over by the Speaker, Yuli Edelstein, and speaking first to MKs will be President Reuven Rivlin, who will remind MKs of their responsibility to Israelis, and appeal to them to make greater efforts to work together to solve the country's problems. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will discuss the state of the state with MKs, to be followed by opposition head Yitzhak Herzog (Zionist Camp). Each MK will have the opportunity to speak; many are very interested in hearing what MKs from the United Arab List have to say, given their blustery rhetoric in recent days on the Arab rioting in Israel.
Among those who will be paying special attention is MK David Bitan of the Likud, who is planning to introduce legislation that would impose fines of hundreds of thousands of shekels on MKs who incite to violence. It is one of a long list of security-oriented laws MKs plan to introduce over the winter session.
Under current regulations, MKs can be docked pay if they miss Knesset sessions due to other work engagements. The new regulation would be an addendum to that law, adding an “ethics” component to the existing law that would invoke the new regulations if an MK made inciteful statements. Bitan proposes fining MKs as much as six salaries for incitement. The basic salary for a Knesset member is NIS 39,000 ($9,900).
MK Bitan said that “the statements and actions of some Arab MKs, such as Jamal Zahalka and Hanan Zoabi, cannot be allowed to continue. I intend to deal with all those who incite to violence and against the state, by increasing the sanctions against MKs who undertake these activities, especially those from the United Arab List.
“I intend to insert these new regulations to the Knesset Code of Ethics, which under currently under revision,” said Bitan. This is the first time that such fines will be imposed on MKs who incite to violence.” Bitan added that he would also demand that the Attorney General open an investigation against Zoabi and Zahalka for their recent activities. “I expect police to make a thorough and quick investigation.”
Last week, Zoabi said that Arab "resistance" to Jewish activity on the Temple Mount will continue, while also hinting that Israel's policies paralleled the Nazi regime. "It's rude and bullying to compare the demand to defend Muslims' right to pray at their holy sight to the Nazi regime. Everyone knows who is closer to the Nazi regime - MK Hanin Zoabi or the State of Israel and Minister [Ze'ev] Elkin," Zoabi told Army Radio. “Every time there is an invasion - and this is an invasion and not a right - of settlers, extremists and police, there will be resistance."
Meanwhile, Zahalka last week harassed police who were allowing Jewish visitors to visit the Temple Mount, going on a rant against police and Israeli officials. "Why do you allow them in?" Zahalka shouts at police officers. "The hell with them, it's just a provocation to hurt the feelings of Muslims. You are criminals, lunatics!" he continues. "You are here in our place [i.e. Muslims - ed.], this is my home."