MK Uri Ariel
MK Uri ArielIsrael news photo: Flash 90

MK Ahmed Tibi (Ra'am Ta'al) "is using Israeli democracy as a tool of treason," National Union MK Uri Ariel said Sunday in response to the report that Tibi has joined the Palestinian Authority (PA) delegation to the United Nations, where the PA seeks recognition as a state.

"Parliamentary immunity does not grant Tibi the right to carry out subversion," he said, "and freedom of speech does not give him legitimacy to join the anti-Semitic chorus calling for the establishment of a Jew-free state."  

"I call upon the Knesset to remove Tibi's immunity, and call upon the police to investigate his deeds in order to put him on trial," Ariel added.

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin was quoted by Reshet Bet radio as saying he was "stunned" by the report and would demand that Tibi confirm or deny the report. Meanwhile, Tibi's parliamentary aide was quoted as confirming Tibi had boarded a flight from Amman to New York and saying Tibi "might" be on the same flight as Mahmoud Abbas and that the matter "is being looked into."

Rivlin insisted on appointing Tibi Deputy Knesset Speaker in the present Knesset even though this made it necessary to enlarge the number of Deputy Speakers. 

Likud MK Ofir Akunis said Tibi's trip "crossed another red line and proved that he represents only the Palestinian interest in the Knesset and not the interests of Israel's Arab citizens."

MK Akunis said that he intended to file a complaint to the Knesset's Ethics Committee and demand that it carry out a quick discussion of the matter and use its authority "against a Knesset Member who consistently and callously acts against the interests of the State of Israel."

MK Moshe Matalon (Israel is Our Home) said that Tibi "belongs in the PA, to which he is loyal."  He added a recommendation that Tibi remain abroad and refrain from returning to Israel.