Links
Israel's parliament strips Arab lawmaker of privileges
Israel's parliament has punished an Arab lawmaker for participating in the Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May.
The Knesset, Israel's parliament, voted 34-16 on Tuesday night to strip Hanin Zoabi of three privileges.
They are revoking her diplomatic passport, rescinding her privilege to leave the country if she commits a felony and taking away the right to have the Knesset cover any legal fees if she faces a trial.
"I consider the decision a nondemocratic decision, a racist decision, a decision that makes other members of the Knesset think that they can pass laws and sentences to other members of the Knesset because they differ from their political views," she told CNN. She is a member of the Balad party.
Danny Danon, a member of the Likud party, said the decision was a symbolic message to Arab Knesset members who supported acts like Zoabi's.