MK Jabareen files case with Israel High Court to participate in U.S. tour sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2018
Contact: Sonya E Meyerson-Knox | sonya@jvp.org | 929-290-0317
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Member of Knesset files case with Israel High Court to enable him to participate in U.S. tour sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace
MK Jabareen: Knesset’s attempt to restrict activities of Palestinian MKs is “illegal and undemocratic”

Jerusalem and New York City: April 22, 2018 – On Sunday, April 22, member of the Israeli Knesset Dr. Yousef Jabareen of the Joint List (Hadash) and legal counsel from the NGO Adalah filed a challenge to a ruling by the Knesset Ethics Committee in Israel’s High Court, claiming the ruling violates his freedom of expression and movement.

The Israeli Knesset had barred Knesset member Yousef Jabareen from traveling to the U.S. for a lecture series funded by Jewish Voice for Peace, the first time an MK has been banned from international travel. In March, the Knesset Ethics Committee rejected MK Jabareen’s request to participate in the lecture series as Jewish Voice for Peace is blacklisted by the Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs, due to their support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement.

MK Dr. Yousef Jabareen commented: “The current Knesset, which is controlled by a right-wing coalition, continues with its attempts to restrict the activities of Palestinian MKs in an illegal and undemocratic manner. Like the prohibition on visiting prisoners who are categorized as ‘security prisoners,’ the current amendment further indicates the tyranny of a majority that seeks to prevent us from representing our voters appropriately. I hope that the Supreme Court will hear the petition soon and will rule to cancel the amendment of the Knesset Ethics committee. The lecture tour that’s now planned for June in the U.S. is essential for executing my duties as an elected official and for my freedom of political action.”

MK Jabareen was invited by Jewish Voice for Peace for a planned week-long speaking tour at universities, think tanks and public events across the East Coast, including a proposed briefing on Capitol Hill, where he was to speak about the deterioration of democratic norms in Israel, including the latest discriminatory laws against Palestinians in Israel, as well as his vision for a future in Israel that would offer equality for all citizens.

“The Knesset Ethics Committee decision is further evidence of the deterioration of democratic norms in Israel, even for Israeli citizens. MK Jabareen’s voice, which speaks for the full equality of all people in Israel, is one that Americans very much need to hear,” said Rebecca Vilkomerson, Jewish Voice for Peace’s Executive Director.

Ms. Vilkomerson is available to speak with the media.

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Jewish Voice for Peace is a national, grassroots organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for a just and lasting peace according to principles of human rights, equality and international law for all the people of Israel and Palestine. JVP has over 200,000 online supporters, over 70 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Council, an Artist Council, an Academic Advisory Council, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists.