MK Basel Ghattas has informed Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein that he his voluntarily giving up his parliamentary immunity to permit police to move ahead with the investigation against him. Ghattas made his announcement on Thursday, 22 Kislev, after the Knesset Interior Committee voted to strip him of his immunity, and he is aware the move would pass in Knesset too. Hence, he looked better stepping forward on his own to the Speaker.

In his letter to Speaker Edelstein, Ghattas explained “the outcome was known in advance”, insisting he is the subject of a witch hunt, trying to turn the case against him into a racial issue since he is an Arab lawmaker. He told police investigators that he was unaware the envelopes he passed to imprisoned security prisoners contained mobile phone SIM cards.

The investigation against Ghattas continues with approval of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. He stands accused of smuggling mobile phones and parts to security prisoners in Ketziot Prison.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)