Amnesty: Knesset discriminates against Palestinian MPs

By Abdulraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - Palestinians elected to the Israeli Knesset are targeted by discriminatory rules that undermine their right to represent and defend the rights of the Palestinian minority in Israel, according to global rights watchdog Amnesty International.

Amnesty's report "Elected but constrained: limiting the way in front of the Palestinian representatives," was published Wednesday ahead of elections slated for Sept. 17 in which four Arab parties hope to win 10-11 of the Knesset's 120 seats.

Amnesty's report shows "how the right of Palestinian representatives in Knesset to the freedom of expression is threatened, due to legislative changes, proposed bills, and discriminatory Knesset regulations."

“With Israel systematically committing human rights violations against Palestinians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, it is vital that Palestinian voices in parliament are heard, considered and respected.”

The fresh elections were prompted after longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was unable to form an alliance to secure the necessary support to form a government.

He failed to convince former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the right-wing nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, to join the coalition.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara