OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AFP)
In Israel a controversial bill that would ban Israelis from visiting "enemy states" without authorization cleared its first hurdle on Wednesday, when lawmakers adopted the draft law on preliminary reading.
The bill put forward by extreme right-wing lawmakers was passed by 52 votes to 19 among those present in the 120-member chamber.
To pass into law, the bill needs to pass another three votes but Arab MPs -- several of whom have made prominent visits to Lebanon and Syria with which Israel remains technically at war -- swiftly rejected the bill.
"This law mirrors a racist attitude almost unparalleled in the world and in history," said Muhammad Barakei in a statement.
"This is a racist Knesset full of corrupt deputies who want parliament to be stripped of its Arab elected representatives," said Ahmed Tibi.
In April, charismatic Arab MP Azmi Bishara was forced to resign after being accused of spying for Lebanon's Shiite group Hezbollah during its 34-day war with Israel last year. He has made several visits to Syria and Lebanon.
Bishara, who is abroad but has vowed to return to Israel, denies all charges against him, accusing the Israeli authorities of conducting a witch-hunt because of his virulent criticism of the Jewish state's policies. |
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Alleged attack from Gaza Meanwhile, Israeli television stations have broadcast footage which Israel's army said showed Palestinian militants firing off mortars at the Jewish state from a primary school in the Gaza Strip.
They said the footage was filmed by an Israeli military drone.
It appeared to show men hidden inside the school compound in Beit Hanun village firing the mortars and fleeing under the cover of smoke from the blasts, apparently for fear of Israeli retaliation.
According to Channel 10 television the militants were members of the Islamist movement Hamas and were later targeted in an Israeli air strike.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned on Tuesday that every passing day was bringing closer the prospect of a broad military operation in Gaza, with more limited raids so far unable to counter the rocket fire. |
