PM to opposition: Stop criticizing Israel abroad

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on opposition members Wednesday to support the Israeli government in the international arena.

Speaking at a Knesset meeting convened by the opposition, Netanyahu said that the opposition was undermining Israel's standing in the world. "I heard [Opposition Leader] MK [Isaac] Herzog tell the president of France that it is impossible to realize a two-state solution," he said. "Perhaps now you will stand united with us in the face of international efforts to impose dangerous solutions on us. We will resist any attempt to force solutions on us."

Remarking on an idea recently floated by Herzog, who suggested that Israel disengage from the Palestinians in the absence of peace negotiations, Netanyahu stressed that "All the talk about separation with an agreement or without, or security separation -- is not suitable. Israel must be the one responsible for security on the ground and the one to implement the demilitarization."

"Mutual recognition and demilitarization are two fundamental values, without which there cannot be an arrangement," he declared.

Netanyahu went on, saying, "Something happened at the beginning of this week. Labor Party members determined that it is impossible to achieve a two-state solution in the current situation. Good morning, Bougie [Herzog's nickname]. I'm happy you woke up. Welcome to the Middle East."

"Not only were you not quick to pick up on the situation -- you were the last to recognize the reality. But better late than never. How can we rely on your judgement when you were years late to understand this-" Netanyahu wondered.

Herzog responded to Netanyahu's criticism, saying, "Unlike you, I am not prepared to accept the notion that 'by thy sword shalt thou live' [Genesis 27:40]." The far Right believes that annexing the territories and their Palestinian residents is the solution. Who is stopping you from doing that-"

At the same time, a bill was passed in a preliminary reading on Wednesday, requiring any candidate for Knesset to prove that they do not support armed struggle against Israel. The bill was proposed by Yisrael Beteynu MK Oded Forer.

Meanwhile, the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee convened a meeting on Wednesday to discuss Monday's controversial decision to suspend Israeli Arab MKs Hanin Zoabi, Basel Ghattas and Jamal Zahalka from parliament, after determining a meeting they held last week with terrorists' families constituted conduct unbecoming.

The committee held a heated debate over the possibility of amending the state's Basic Law to allow such a suspension.

Opposition MKs Michal Rozin (Meretz), Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid) and Revital Swid (Zionist Union) repeatedly interrupted committee chairman MK Nissan Slomiansky (Habayit Hayehudi) as he attempted to mediate the discussion.

Slomiansky announced that the amendment would be submitted by the committee, rather than by an individual MK, thereby obviating the need for a preliminary vote.

MK Dov Khenin (Joint Arab List) told Slomianky, "You are turning the committee into the government's rubber stamp."

Rozin added, "You are doing this in a frantic way, not in a serious way. Your anger is taking over."

During the debate, Slomiansky asked both Rozin and Swid to leave the room, and they accused him of chauvinism in return.

Later on, Likud MK Oren Hazan was also asked to leave after he called the left-wing MKs "destroyers of Israel."

Also on Wednesday, Immigrant Absorption Minister Zeev Elkin (Likud) pointed out to the Zionist Union and Yesh Atid MKs opposing the amendment that many of them had supported a similar initiative in the past.

According to a private bill proposed earlier by members of the two parties, any MK who "identifies with Israel's enemies during wartime," could be removed from the Knesset with a 61-vote majority vote.

The bill was signed by 28 Knesset members during the 19th Knesset. According to Elkin, the bill's signatories included, Labor MK Hilik Bar, Yesh Atid MK Yoel Razvozov and former Yesh Atid MKs Rina Frenkel and Yifat Kariv.

"Look at where you were in the last Knesset and start thinking about whether you are in favor of Hanin Zoabi or whether you are in favor of the State of Israel," Elkin said.

Bar responded to his comments, saying, "This is a revelation [of fact], rather it is distortion and deception that suit a master game-player like Elkin."

According to Bar, the bill in question had been directed at MKs who help terrorists during wartime. "It's not a all similar to the coalition's proposal, and it is insulting to [our] intelligence that Elkin tried to make such a misleading claim."

Yesh Atid released a statement saying, "There is no similarity between the two laws. The previous bill dealt with crimes committed during wartime."

The debate is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, after the committee's legal advisers prepare a proposal for the amendment, which will be brought to a vote.

טעינו? נתקן! אם מצאתם טעות בכתבה, נשמח שתשתפו אותנו