The Knesset Ethics Committee decided on Tuesday to severely reprimand the often controversial MK Oren Hazan (Likud) following a series of complaints that were filed against him.
Among those who complained against Hazan was MK Aida Touma-Sliman (Joint List), who said that Hazan told her at the Knesset plenum as he stood on the lectern, "We will erase your smile from your face...We will erase your ugly smile from your face." Touma-Sliman wrote in the complaint that this sentence was included in a press release distributed by Hazan after the Knesset discussion.
MK Stav Shafir (Zionist Union) also complained against Hazan (in a counter-complaint to one he filed against her) that he told her at the Knesset Finance Committee meeting, "You're a little girl, you scream like a chicken" and refused to apologize despite the committee chairman's demand that he do so. She also complained that on several occasions, Hazan referred to her as “Stam (lit. nothing) Shafir.”
The Ethics Committee noted that this is not the first time that it has discussed complaints against MK Hazan's statements.
"MK Hazan's statements cross the line between expressing an opinion, albeit harsh, and making statements using offensive and personally abusive language, that there is no room for an MK to use in disputes with his colleagues,” it said.
In its ruling, the Committee determined that Hazan violated Rule 2 of the Rules of Ethics of the Knesset, which obliges MKs to preserve the dignity of the Knesset and the dignity of its members and to act in a manner that suits their status. In accordance with its authority under the Immunity Law, it decided to impose severe reprimand on Hazan.
"The Committee wishes to note that as long as Hazan continues to express himself in this manner, it will consider tougher sanctions against him, including suspension for a significant period," it concluded.
Hazan already has several controversies under his belt since becoming an MK, including a court determining that there was evidence to believe that he consumed hard drugsin Bulgaria before he was elected to the Knesset.
In December, he was caught speeding as he was travelling to Eilat on the Arava Highway and was summoned to a hearing. Police stressed at the time that he cooperated with the officers.
Hazan has also come under fire for mocking the disability of MK Karin Elharrar (Yesh Atid). He also got into a verbal altercation with MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin (Zionist Union), after he teased her party for, in his opinion, not condemning the left-wing NGO Breaking the Silence.