Democracy?

I would have never thought I would read this. I would have never thought that Israel, the so-called only real democracy in the region, is actually seeking power to muzzle and kick out any Member of Knesset (MK) who "identifies or supports" terrorism. What does "identify or support" mean? Isn't it the right of anyone to speak his mind in a real democracy, whatever the situation? Aren't MKs voted for by the people? Shouldn't they represent the people? Imagine if the USA or the UK would kick out an MP because he/she doesn't agree with the war on Iraq. What would happen then?
One of USA's darkest moment in history was when Senator McCarthy obtained power to accuse anyone he unjustly deemed was a Communist. McCarthyism, as it was called, is defined as such by the American Heritage Dictionary: "the practice of publicizing accusations of political disloyalty or subversion with insufficient regard to evidence" and "the use of unfair investigatory or accusatory methods in order to suppress opposition."
mrtez

A widening divide
by Sheera Claire Frenkel
JPost

On the day the rockets began to rain onto northern Israel, Knesset members could do little but sit, glued to the televisions in the Knesset cafeteria, and give half-hearted predictions on the war that everyone was afraid to name.
For many MKs, that day three weeks ago was the beginning of a newly unified Knesset. The calls for a national unity government, which would bring all political parties together and create a broad wartime coalition, may have gone unheeded - but in the days to come Opposition Leader Binyamin Netanyahu became the government's unofficial spokesman and earned the nickname "the un-opposition leader."
"We all, all of us here at the Knesset, stand united by our forces," announced Netanyahu during an emergency session of the Knesset this Monday morning. Several minutes later, however, he was forced to change his statement to "most of us here at the Knesset" when three Arab MKs were ejected from the Knesset after yelling out "child killer," "war crimes" and "Israeli hate machine" in quick unison.
Even during that first day around the crowded TVs, there were 10 faces notably missing. Absent, because instead of watching Israeli news, they were locked in their offices, tuning in to Al-Jazeera on their computers to gauge the reaction from the Arab world - their world, and the world of their constituency. In the weeks to come, Arab MKs were to become further ostracized from the rest of the Knesset, leading many to wonder if the Balad, Ra'am-Ta'al, Hadash and United Arab List parties would have a future in the Knesset.
"For a long time there has been discussion about whether these MKs fit into the Israeli Knesset framework," said MK Zevulun Orlev, (National Union-National Religious Party). "Especially during a time of war, when patriotism and support of the government are the chief concerns of the Knesset, these Arab MKs - who support terror networks - do not belong in the Knesset."
Barely a week before the Knesset began its recess, Orlev had pushed through a first reading on a law that would evict MKs from the Knesset if they voice support of terror organizations. Several months in the making, Orlev's law enjoyed various levels of support, but the MK acknowledges that with the start of the war, there was a sudden burst of support for the bill.
"During this difficult time, when the IDF is struggling to fight against terror, there are Arab MKs clearly supporting and encouraging terror organizations such as Hamas," said Orlev. "Whoever wants to support these organizations can go join the Palestinian Authority's parliament - now is their chance because the PA is missing a few parliament members right now," he added dryly, referencing the June 26 arrests of PA parliamentarians.
According to the bill, the Knesset House Committee - with the approval of the Supreme Court - could cancel the membership of any MK who "identified with or supported" a terror organization.
In the first vote, many of the government's Kadima and Gil MKs joined the right-wing Likud, Israel Beitenu, NU-NRP, Shas and United Torah Judaism in voting for the law. The bill must still pass a second and third vote before it becomes law, but the Arab MKs have already banded together to call it the "most racist legislature to come out of the Knesset in years."
"Now, especially now, in a time of war, when the Arab MKs still feel like they can say anything, it is important to have a bill like this," said an Israel Beitenu spokesman. Israel Beiteinu had originally urged Orlev to impose even more stringent limitations on Arab MKs' rights to speak in public forums, nationally and internationally.Since the recent violence began, Arab MKs have been slammed for failing to support the Israeli Defense Forces.
"Israel has declared war on the citizens of Lebanon and the massacre in Kafr Kana is part of that. Those responsible have committed a war crime and should be tried in The Hague. The world must act quickly to stop the Olmert-Peretz-Halutz war machine," said MK Jamal Zahalka (Balad) during a Knesset session on Monday. He, along with MK Taleb a-Sanaa and MK Ibrahim Sarsur (Ra'am-Ta'al), were all ejected from that session by Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik for "constant disruptions to the proceeding order."
As the three left the plenum, many MKs shouted at them that their final exit would not be far away."I will not stop until I see you thrown out of the Knesset and the State of Israel," yelled out MK Effie Eitam (NU-NRP).
There have always been Arab MKs in parliament; three Arabs served in the first Knesset. However, the past Knesset session has seen a steady and serious deterioration in relations between them and the rest of the parties.
"This Knesset has clearly been one of the worst for Arab MKs," said MK Taleb a-Sanaa. "There is a serious deterioration in this Knesset in the treatment of Arab MKs… It is racism."

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