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.
