Jewish lawmakers call for Teibi's dismissal as deputy speaker
Israel, Politics, 5/22/2006

A number of Israeli Jewish lawmakers have called on Knesset (Zionist parliament) Speaker Dalia Itsek to reject the appointment of Arab Knesset member Ahmed Teibi as deputy speaker of the house.

Teibi, head of the Arab Movement for Change, was chosen as deputy speaker by virtue of being the head of the largest Arab party represented in the Knesset.

On Sunday, Knesset member Yoel Hasson of Kadima, the party of Zionist prime minister Ehud Olmert, wrote a letter to Itsek demanding that Teibi be disqualified as deputy speaker for keeping a portrait of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in his office.

"He who displays the picture of Arafat in his office doesn't deserve to be a deputy speaker of the Knesset," said Hasson.

Teibi's appointment as deputy speaker of the Knesset drew angry objections from right-wing Israeli parties.

Eifi Eitam, a leader of the pro-settlement party, the National Union-Mifdal, accused Teibi of 'admitting Arafat and his ideas into the Knesset'.

Another right wing lawmaker, Uri Ariel, described Teibi's views as 'Palestinian not Israeli'.

Teibi defended the appointment, saying that he would carry out his duties and responsibilities objectively irrespective of 'partisan sensitivities'.

He also vowed to keep Arafat's portrait in his office.

"I shall keep the picture of Arafat because I love and respect the memory of the man and I will not budge to the blackmailing tactics of the right wing."

Previous Stories:
  Israel's Kadima, Labor form government coalition   (4/28/2006)
  Resignation of the Israeli Likud ministers   (1/13/2006)
  Olmert is Israel's prime minister   (1/6/2006)

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