Uproar in "Israeli" Knesset over proposed `racist` legislation

Source: Agencies, 01-11-2007
"Israeli" Arab lawmakers responded angrily Wednesday to proposed legislation that would prevent anyone who travels to a country classified as an enemy state from serving as a Knesset member.
The Knesset plenum approved proposals for two bills on this issue in preliminary readings on Wednesday.
The bills were approved by a majority of 52 in favor and 19 who opposed. MK Zehava Gal-On (Meretz) maintained that the bill was racist.
The bills were drafted by right-wing MKs Zevulun Orlev of National Union-National Religious Party and Esterina Tartman of Yisrael Beiteinu.
The preliminary passage of legislation aiming to bar "Israelis" who visit "enemy states" from serving in parliament has sparked heated exchanges.
"Israeli"-Arab (1948 Palestinians) MPs said the plan showed the Knesset was "racist" and vowed not to abide by any eventual law.
MK Ahmed Tibi (Ra`am-Ta`al) said that "the Knesset is steeped in racism. Corrupt members of Knesset want a Knesset without Arabs. The face of the Knesset is the face of Esterina: Knesseterina. If I am invited [to enemy states] I will go regardless of the law. I am sure that a person who violates an unjustified law, or whose conscience is not completely clear, and is willing to pay the price and be imprisoned in order to raise public awareness regarding the injustice in the law, then that person is showing his respect to the most supreme values."
Talab A-Sana (Ra`am-Ta`al) said that "the bill is opposed to peace, the Arab public (1948-Palestinians), and its representatives that are visiting Arab states. This is a dark bill that constitutes political persecution, and shows what a substandard level the Knesset has reached."
Angry response
The move was bitterly rejected by "Israeli"-Arab MPs.
"The Knesset is steeped in racism," said Ahmed Tibi of the United Arab List party.
"Corrupt members of the Knesset want a Knesset without Arabs... If I am invited [to an enemy state] I will go despite the law."
"If we have to choose between loyalty to our people, or serving the Knesset, then good luck to the Knesset," said Muhammad Barakei, who heads the Hadash party.
"All the racists can choke."