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.
