By JPOST.COM STAFFKeith Ellison (photo credit: )
A bill calling for MKs to swear a 'loyalty oath' to the state was set to be discussed at the Knesset's Ministerial Legislation Committee on Sunday morning.
The bill, proposed by Israel Beiteinu MK David Rotem, would require the oath to be changed from "I pledge loyalty to the State of Israel," to "I pledge loyalty to the State of Israel as a Jewish, Zionist, democratic state, and to its symbols and values."
Rotem has said that the proposal aims to "make sure MKs are loyal to Israel as a Jewish state."
"Anyone who doesn't want to be faithful should not be an MK," he added.
The bill was set to be discussed just days after MK Taleb a-Sanaa (United Arab List-Ta'al) allowed, via his cellphone, Hamas Gaza leader Ismail Haniyeh to address Arab MKs and others participating in a protest at the Erez crossing.
Right-wing legislators slammed the Arab MK, with MK Arye Eldad (National Union) demanding that Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz open a probe into Sanaa's comments and actions.
Rotem and MK Zevulun Orlev (Habayit Hayehudi) echoed Eldad's calls for a criminal investigation.
In related news, Zahalka was removed from a Channel 1 studio at the behest of Erev Hadash host Dan Margalit on Thursday, after he accused Defense Minister Ehud Barak of listening to classical music while children were being killed in Gaza.
The Movement for Quality Government on Sunday evening demanded that the attorney-general open a criminal investigation concerning Zahalka's comments about Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Israel Radio reported.
The movement asserts that the comments qualified incitement, thus justifying an attack on Barak.
Watch the video:Rebecca Anna Stoil contributed to this report
