Israeli ministers vote down anti-corruption bill

The Israeli ministerial committee for legislation voted down Sunday a proposal to ban perpetrators of crimes with moral turpitude from ever running for elected office.

The bill sought to prohibit anyone convicted of a crime with moral turpitude of running for the Knesset or holding an executive government position, such as prime minister, minister or mayor.

Currently, the law mandates a seven-year waiting period after the person is released from jail before he or she can run for political office.

Member of the Israeli parliament, Yair Lapid called the ministers’ vote against his bill “moral bankruptcy by a government that refuses to fight corruption.”