Jordanian MP's Address on Respecting Opposing Views Degenerates into Brawl during Parliamentary Session

On January 13, 2019, Rum Online News (Jordan) uploaded a video of a brief fight that broke out in the Jordanian Parliament during a session discussing labor laws, when MP Khalil Attieh, also known as Abu Hussein, physically attacked MP Muhammad Al-Baraysah. Attieh had been talking about the right of MPs to speak freely during session when Al-Baraysah interrupted him. Attieh told him to shut up and then started rushing across the room towards him. Other MPs intervened and restrained the two men. The parliamentary speaker responded: "That's a real shame, Abu Hussein. You just now lectured us about the protocols." To see more about MP Khalil Attieh, see MEMRI TV Clip No. 4641.

MP Khalil Attieh: "Every member of the Senate and the House of the Representatives has the full freedom to talk and express his opinion, within the framework of the protocols of his respective chamber. An MP must not be admonished for a vote, an opinion, or a speech during a session." When an MP is saying something – not everybody has to agree. We should respect one another. Every MP must speak in the way he sees fit. Mr. Speaker, I beg you to allow the committee's rapporteur back on the podium…

MP Muhammad Al-Baraysah: [Inaudible]

MP Khalil Attieh: Listen! You'd better shut up! Shut up! Shut up or get out!

Parliamentary Speaker: Abu Hussein… Abu Hussein… What is this? That's a real shame, Abu Hussein. You just now lectured us about the protocols.