Coalition set to push bill making it easier to ban Arab MKs — report

Coalition lawmakers are reportedly putting together a proposal that would change the criteria for banning parties from the Knesset, making it easier to push out Arab-led parties representing some 20 percent of Israel’s population.

According to Channel 12 news, the bill being advanced by Likud MK Ofir Katz will make it possible to bar MKs for isolated comments deemed supportive of terror, including support for an attacker, rather than only a terror group. Among the acts that would be construed as support for terror would be visiting the family of an attack suspect.

The channel reports that coalition heads agreed to pursue legislation aimed at kicking Arab-led parties out of the Knesset, but are afraid any such measure would be quashed by the High Court, and so are waiting for legislation that will shackle the court’s ability to strike down laws.