Lieberman threatens to expel Arab parties

Lieberman: This gov't is temporary, "just as you [the Arab factions] are temporarily here."

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Lieberman makes point 224 88 aj (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimksi [file])
Lieberman makes point 224 88 aj
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimksi [file])
Israel Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman swore to "rid the Knesset of all its Arab Factions" Monday, adding to the growing animosity between the two groups. Addressing the Arab Knesset members during a no-confidence motion Monday, Lieberman said that a new administration would soon be established and would "take care" of the Arab parties. "Today we have a government made up of cowards. This is temporary, just as you [the Arab factions] are temporarily here," said Lieberman. He added that the Knesset should follow the example of the Kuwaiti government, which recently decided to deport citizens who attended a rally commemorating Imad Mughniyeh, a senior Hizbullah leader who was killed in a bomb blast in Damascus on February 12. Several Arab MKs who were present during Lieberman's comments interrupted the speech and eventually left the plenum. Lieberman has repeatedly questioned the Arab faction's loyalty to the state. More than a year ago, his party proposed a bill that would see the Arab MKs expelled unless they expressed their patriotism. Harsh words have been exchanged between the two groups ever since, including an accusation made by Lieberman three days ago that incitement by the Arab MKs led to the terror attack last week in which eight students at Mercaz Harav Yeshiva were killed. Two days prior to the terror attack, MK Effi Eitam (NU-NRP) also called for the expulsion of all the Arab MKs. "One day we will expel you from this house, and from the national home of the Jewish people," Eitam told the plenum.