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The Schmooze

Knesset Member Wants to Dance With the Stars

Sometimes you?ve just gotta dance. At least that?s what Kadima MK Nino Abesadze says.

Abesadze is hoping to kick it up on Israel?s version of ?Dancing With The Stars,? but her need to move to the beat is being stifled by Knesset legal advisor Eyal Yinon. He claims that Abesadze?s participation on the show could amount to a conflict of interest and set an undesirable precedent.

Yinon issued a statement on Sunday saying that the MK?s participation on the program would put her in contact with producers and commercial broadcasters. The laws governing the Knesset state that none of its members may engage with commercial entities for personal advancement. Yinon added that Abesadze?s ?dancing could also raise ethical issues because the show?s values may run counter to the ?nature and character? of the Knesset.?

Abesadze, while respecting Yinon?s opinion, asserts that there is a difference between her public and private personas, and that when she is not on Knesset time, she should be able to do ? and dance ? as she pleases. She said that if she does make it onto the show and actually wins, she would donate her prize money to charity.

We?ll just have to stay tuned to see how this plays out. But can we really blame Abesadze for wanting to let loose to some enjoyable music after listening to all that yelling and shouting in the Knesset all day?

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