Tibi petitions High Court over 'Nakba deniers' bill
MK demands explanation into Knesset presidium's decision to dismiss debate on bill proposing to take way funds from groups denying 'Nakba'
The petition, which was filed with the help of the Adalah organization, claims that the decision radically exceeds the Knesset presidium's authority.
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Tibi asserts that the clause allowing the presidium to dismiss a bill which negates the existence of Israel as the Jewish people's nation state is problematic and offends such basic rights as the right for equality and freedom of speech. "The Supreme Court's job is to protect the minority's equal right to raise the matter using parliamentary tools."
He further added, "The bill's aim is to hold a discussion about the Nakba and the Palestinian narrative in an effort to change some of the MKs' stances."
The MK and deputy Knesset speaker claims that the discourse surrounding Arab-Israelis' history is legitimate and any rejection of it hurts their status as equals.
Tibi admitted that the bill has no chance of being approved by the Knesset but said he regards it as an essential part of his role as an MK.
The bill is based on "the need to recognize the national catastrophe of the Palestinian natives of the country" and aims to "deny budgets from groups working to prevent the equality of the Palestinian people."
"The bill is meant to ban acts which deny this catastrophe."
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