‘Cancel pensions of MKs who harm state security’ • By UDI SHAHAM seeks to revoke the salaries and The bill submitted on the pensions of lawmakers con- retirement benefits of elected Wednesday comes after MK victed of supporting terrorism MK Mod Yogev (Bayit Yehudi) officials convicted of security Basel Ghattas (Balad) agreed in and harming Israel’s security.” has introduced legislation that offenses. a plea bargain to resign from Im Tirtzu CEO Matan Peleg, the Knesset and serve two years who was involved in formulat- in prison for smuggling cell- ing the legislation, said Ghattas phones to convicted terrorists is merely the latest of a long line in Ketziot Prison. of Balad party members seeking A similar law passed in 2011 to harm the security of Israel. aimed to strip former Balad “The bill aims to revoke the chairman Azmi Bishara of his salaries and retirement benefits pension after he was accused of of elected officials who work assisting the enemy (Hezbollah) against the State of Israel and during the Second Lebanon its citizens,” said Peleg. “The War. He fled the country. reality in which elected officials However, the “Azmi Bishara violate laws and endanger the Law” only applies to those sen- security of the state on the one tenced to at least 10 years in hand, and continue to receive prison. benefits at the expense of the The new bill, an amendment taxpayer on the other hand, to the Penal Code, focuses on cannot continue.” the nature of the felony and Peleg added that all members not on the length of the sen- of Knesset, regardless of religion tence. The bill seeks to revoke or ideological affiliation, are the benefits of all elected offi- expected to uphold the law and cials convicted of security-relat- not act as part of a fifth column. ed offenses. The revoked bene- “Elected officials should think fits would include all pension twice before opting to endanger funds, retirement stipends and Israel’s security,” he said. “This severance payments. is another step toward ending Yogev said: “It is inconceiv- the phenomenon wherein the able that the Israeli public state funds those seeking to should pay from its own pocket destroy it.”.