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November 16, 2001/Kislev 1, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 10
Knesset strips Israeli Arab's immunity
GIL SEDAN
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
JERUSALEM - A new chapter has been opened in the decades-old tale of tension between Israel's Arabs and Jews.
In the past, such tensions played out in the streets or voting booths, but this time the scene of the drama is the Knesset.
Last week, Israeli legislators voted overwhelmingly to lift the parliamentary immunity of Arab legislator Azmi Beshara. The Nov. 7 vote came after the attorney general, Elyakim Rubinstein, filed two separate indictments against Beshara.
The first was over a call Beshara made in June, during a speech in Syria, for the Arab world to unite against the "warmongering" government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
The second indictment was for visits to Syria that Beshara arranged for Israeli Arabs, without the approval of Israeli authorities.
After the Knesset vote, Beshara said he had fallen victim to "extremist nationalist movements" in the Knesset.
"I will prove my innocence in court," he said.
Indeed, Beshara appears to relish the idea of a trial, where he is likely to try to paint himself as a martyr struggling against allegedly oppressive or racist authorities.
Rubinstein now is free to press charges against Beshara. If so, the ensuing trial will weigh the delicate balance between freedom of speech and the right of a democracy to defend itself against what it considers incitement from an elected official sworn to defend the interests of the state.
There is little doubt among critics and supporters alike that Beshara would reap substantial political benefits from a trial. In the eyes of Israeli Arabs, he would be seen as the victim of what the community long has considered an inequitable political system.
At the same time, a trial would strengthen Beshara's aspirations to be the ultimate defender of the rights of the Israeli Arab population.
Despite such considerations, there is a strong lobby pushing for a legal confrontation.
According to these people, it is high time to send a clear signal to leaders of the Israeli Arab community that if they continue to identify themselves with Israel's enemies, they may find themselves banned from the Knesset.
Indeed, the Knesset last week approved in an initial vote a bill by Likud legislator Yisrael Katz that would ban any party that advocates armed resistance against Israel.
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