Israeli parliament passes bill to allow ouster of inciters

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FILE -- In this May 30, 2016 file photo, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman walks at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, ahead of his swearing-in ceremony in Jerusalem. Lieberman's office said Tuesday, July 12, 2016, that it has blocked an Israeli delegation from traveling to the West Bank to meet with the Palestinian president on political grounds. The office said it refused to allow the activists to travel to Ramallah Monday because the Palestinian side included Mohammed al-Madani, an aide to President Mahmoud Abbas who oversees outreach to Israeli society, who Lieberman has accused al-Madani of “subversive activities.” (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File)

Israel’s parliament has passed a charged bill that would allow the assembly to oust a sitting lawmaker deemed to be inciting against the state.

The bill, which was passed early on Wednesday, would require a three-quarter majority of parliament’s 120 members to expel a lawmaker for inciting racism or supporting violence against the state.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the bill, saying that “those who support terrorism … won’t serve in Israel’s Knesset.”

Opposition leaders called the measure anti-democratic.

The bill is largely seen as targeting Israel’s Arab lawmakers, many of whom have sympathized with Palestinian attackers. Three of them recently paid a condolence visit to families of attackers who killed Israelis.

Some lawmakers said they plan to appeal to Israel’s Supreme Court to cancel the bill.

From Agencies, Feature image courtesy AP

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