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25 Sivan 5763 - June 25, 2003 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
Suspend Interior Minister says Rabbi Gafni
by G. Lazer

MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni told Yated Ne'eman last week that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon should suspend Interior Minister Avraham Poraz, based on suspicions that he voted twice during Knesset deliberations on the economic decrees, when several MKs were seen voting twice contrary to regulations and possibly against the law.

Rabbi Gafni rejected Poraz' claim he "acted in innocence," saying only a criminal investigation and trial could determine whether or not he acted with malice. Based on the initial investigation it appears clear that first Poraz voted from MK Yisroel Katz's seat and then later he voted from his own seat. Voting in the Knesset requires a very deliberate act of pushing two buttons at once.

"An honest man does not vote twice," said Rabbi Gafni, "and if Poraz did this accidentally he should have reported it immediately to the Knesset Chairman rather than waiting until Knesset investigators saw it with their own eyes on film. The police must investigate Poraz to determine whether his actions constitute fraud and a serious criminal act, and until then he should step down from his post as Interior Minister immediately. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon must suspend him from his post immediately, and until it has been proven he did not hide the truth and until his investigation is complete, he should not serve as minister. Poraz must also stop his activities in the Knesset, as was decreed upon MK Michael Gorlovsky, who committed a similar act."

The voting in the Knesset on the government's economic program took place over several hours and extended deep into the night. Votes took place frequently and sometimes without warning. MKs who left the main room for short breaks often had to rush back to vote, and sometimes could not get back in time. Some MKs voted for their neighbors, who are members of their own party. This is illegal.

Last week the matter was turned over to the legal authorities for investigation. There are video tapes of many of the votes.

 

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