Arab MK Azmi Bishara\'s anti-Israel speech in Damascus yesterday has the Israeli political establishment abuzz in search of measures that can be taken against him. In his speech, Bishara entreated the Arab world \"to unite against the warmongering Sharon government,\" and said, \"Israel puts forth a choice: either accept Israel\'s dictates - or else full-scale war. There is no option of a third alternative, the path of resistance, other than by enlarging this resistance sphere, so that people can carry on with the struggle.\" Bishar appeared together with Hizbullah leader Sheikh Nasrallah and other Arab leaders.
Coalition leader Likud MK Ze\'ev Boim called on Public Security Minister Uzi Landau to have Bishara detained for questioning when he returns to Israel. Boim said, \"Bishara has publicly connected himself to Israel\'s worst enemies. This cannot be ignored, and the police should detain him and possibly charge him for conspiring with the enemy.\" MK Michael Kleiner (Herut) went further than the many other furious MKs when he declared yesterday, \"In any normal country, they\'d put him in front of a firing squad. It\'s inconceivable that an Israeli Knesset member would encourage Arab states to launch a full-scale war against us.\"
Interior Minister Eli Yeshai has asked Attorney-General Elyakim Rubinstein to advise him on which steps may be taken against Bishara. Possible measures include suspending Bishara\'s passport - a special one for MKs that allows them to travel to enemy countries - and even his citizenship. Rubinstein said this morning that it would be hard to indict him, but that possibly his political party could be outlawed based on his statements. The Party Registrar today refused to accept the challenge, saying that a group may not be registered as a political party if its platform is anti-Israel, but once it is already registered, this is a different story and out of his purview.
MK Amnon Rubenstein (Meretz) said that although Bishara\'s remarks are very grave, his party must not be outlawed. He also opined that the outlawing of Kach several years ago was an error.
Coalition leader Likud MK Ze\'ev Boim called on Public Security Minister Uzi Landau to have Bishara detained for questioning when he returns to Israel. Boim said, \"Bishara has publicly connected himself to Israel\'s worst enemies. This cannot be ignored, and the police should detain him and possibly charge him for conspiring with the enemy.\" MK Michael Kleiner (Herut) went further than the many other furious MKs when he declared yesterday, \"In any normal country, they\'d put him in front of a firing squad. It\'s inconceivable that an Israeli Knesset member would encourage Arab states to launch a full-scale war against us.\"
Interior Minister Eli Yeshai has asked Attorney-General Elyakim Rubinstein to advise him on which steps may be taken against Bishara. Possible measures include suspending Bishara\'s passport - a special one for MKs that allows them to travel to enemy countries - and even his citizenship. Rubinstein said this morning that it would be hard to indict him, but that possibly his political party could be outlawed based on his statements. The Party Registrar today refused to accept the challenge, saying that a group may not be registered as a political party if its platform is anti-Israel, but once it is already registered, this is a different story and out of his purview.
MK Amnon Rubenstein (Meretz) said that although Bishara\'s remarks are very grave, his party must not be outlawed. He also opined that the outlawing of Kach several years ago was an error.