Knesset to Vote on Immunity for Likud MK Tally Gotliv Amid Spy Identities Row

The Knesset plenum is set to vote today on whether Likud MK Tally Gotliv should receive criminal immunity after the Knesset House Committee approved her request by 11 votes to 3. Gotliv is accused of exposing the identity of an Israeli Security Agency, Shin Bet, officer who is the partner of protest leader Shikma Bressler.

Justice Minister Ze'ev Elkin said he will back the immunity bid. Speaking on Galatz’s "Boker Tov Yisrael" with Efi Triger, he argued that lawmakers have a role in exposing truths hidden from the public, adding, "Afterward we can debate what the truth is." He also said, "Her activity did not go beyond what is customary in the Knesset, spreading theories is not a crime."

The committee debate lasted three days. Those who supported immunity included coalition whip Ofir Katz and MKs Nissim Vaturi, Amit Halevi, Moshe Saada, Avichai Boaron, Simcha Rothman, Uri'el Buso, Yossi Taieb, Yitzhak Goldknopf, Michel Buskila, and Limor Son Har-Melech. Opposing members were Oded Forer, Naor Shiri, and Merav Ben Ari.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara had told the committee she opposed immunity, saying it would "severely harm equality before the law". She said the probe began after a Shin Bet request because of the risk created by exposing details of a fighter whose identity is barred from publication during wartime, and added that no grounds for immunity exist in this case.