Israeli Arab MP banned from Knesset for six months

By Anees Barghouti

JERUSALEM

An Israeli Knesset committee on Monday voted to temporarily ban an Arab member of the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) from entering the assembly, Israeli media has reported.

According to the Jerusalem Post, an Israeli daily, the Knesset’s ethics committee banned Arab MP Basel Ghattas from conducting any parliamentary activity for a six-month period.

"The measure was approved by the committee with three votes against one," the newspaper reported.

Nevertheless, it added, Ghattas would still be able to take part in parliamentary votes.

Last month, Israeli police interrogated Ghattas -- after he voluntarily surrendered his parliamentary immunity -- over allegations that he had smuggled cell phones to Palestinian political prisoners in Israel’s Ktzi'ot Prison.

Police have also slapped Ghattas with a travel ban until investigations are concluded.