Makhoul is not permitted to speak in the Knesset plenum or in committees for the duration of his "sentence."
Among the remarks for which Makhoul was cited were what he said to Education Minister Limor Livnat six months ago: "You are a member of a pig-like government, a government of blood." As he was being escorted out of the plenum for those epithets, he also managed to call Livnat a "fascist."
The Ethics Committee has taken up Makhoul's volatile tongue in the past. It recently cited him for calling Avigdor Lieberman and Gideon Ezra "skinheads with chains," and actually rebuked him for referring to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as an "arch-murderer." He also took that occasion to call the ministers "war criminals." Later on, he yelled "Heil Sharon" in the Knesset plenum, forcing the Committee to once again rebuke him.
The ten-day speaking ban must be ratified by the Knesset before taking effect. It is the most severe punishment handed down against a Knesset Member since the "double voting" scandal a year and a half ago.
Among the remarks for which Makhoul was cited were what he said to Education Minister Limor Livnat six months ago: "You are a member of a pig-like government, a government of blood." As he was being escorted out of the plenum for those epithets, he also managed to call Livnat a "fascist."
The Ethics Committee has taken up Makhoul's volatile tongue in the past. It recently cited him for calling Avigdor Lieberman and Gideon Ezra "skinheads with chains," and actually rebuked him for referring to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as an "arch-murderer." He also took that occasion to call the ministers "war criminals." Later on, he yelled "Heil Sharon" in the Knesset plenum, forcing the Committee to once again rebuke him.
The ten-day speaking ban must be ratified by the Knesset before taking effect. It is the most severe punishment handed down against a Knesset Member since the "double voting" scandal a year and a half ago.