Senior Israeli lawmaker suspended from parliament

Occupied Jerusalem: One of Israel's most powerful lawmakers has been suspended from parliament after being convicted of perjury.

An Israeli court on Tuesday said Tzachi Hanegbi's crimes amounted to "moral turpitude" -  making them so serious that he cannot remain in parliament.

The court ruling follows Hanegbi's conviction in July of perjury and lying under oath during a 2002 elections committee hearing.

With the decision, Hanegbi must leave parliament immediately. But he will be permitted to run for office in future elections.

Hanegbi is a senior member of the opposition Kadima party and had been chairing the powerful foreign affairs and defense committee.