knesset-cc-by-nc-fabcomPrior to the discussion today in the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee regarding the bill to suspend members of Knesset, ACRI called on the Committee, the Government and members of Knesset to oppose the bill and not to enshrine in law an authority to suspend MKs due to political factors.
The letter, written by ACRI’s Chief Legal Counsel Dan Yakir and Director of Policy Advocacy Debbie Gild-Hayo, warns that providing authority to suspend MKs would limit the diversity of opinions from the political left and right, and has the potential to exclude entire groups from presenting their world views and participating in the democratic process. It is doubtful whether they would want to participate if their position was not represented. The fact that the bill proposes to include the next person in line into the Knesset, is not a solution; because the right to vote includes the opportunity to choose specific representatives for the Knesset list.
Suspending Knesset members due to political reasons will result in opponents being illegitimately excluded from political life. This is a clear case of the majority rule abusing their power against one political minority or another. The context must be taken into account – in a country with a permanent Arab political minority and many divisions, there is a real risk that entire population groups will be excluded from the political system and no longer be represented.
ACRI Director of Policy and Advocacy, Debbie Gild-Hayo said: “If this bill passes, it will mean that entire groups of the population from both the left and right will be excluded from the political arena; and create a reality in which there will be no genuine political debate. The election results will not reflect the range of views of voters, and their views and needs will be ignored. We urge members of the Knesset to defend democracy and protect one of the most fundamental rights in Israel – the freedom to vote and be elected, and to win by political representation, even in the face of ideological disagreements and different world views. ”
Please click here to read the letter in English.
Please click here to read the letter in Hebrew.
