The law allowing the suspension of Knesset members was approved on Tuesday night following a stormy session. Sixty-two coalition members voted in favour, with 45 against.

According to the new legislation, a Knesset member who incites violence against the state of Israel can have suspension proceedings initiated against them, but only if 70 MKs (out of 120) support the move, including at least 10 who are not coalition members.

With at least three-quarters of the MKs having to vote in favour of a suspension, it will be virtually impossible for a Knesset member to be forced out. Even so, Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog called the law "a dark stain on Israel's face".