Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Monday’s session lasted three hours. It was marked as a special session, and only one motion- on the fire up north- was discussed. Most of the MKs did not have a chance to speak because it had been previously determined that the session would end at 15:00. Deputy Speaker Avraham Balila (Kadima) assured the rest of the MKs that they would have a chance to speak about the fire later in the week.

Non-Bills Summary

• Speaker Rivlin opened the session with a motion on the Disaster up North. Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.), who led the government’s response to the fire, summarized the ordeal. 27 MKs and ministers discussed the fire, and most of them called for an investigation into the fire and to increase the fire fighters’ budget.
• Speaker Rivlin greeted Columbia’s Vice President Garson with a warm speech and thanked him for visiting Israel and the Knesset.

Wednesday’ session lasted four hours, cut short due to the first night of Hanukah. Seven bills were briefly discussed during the last thirty minutes and were advanced after passing their preliminary readings. The central issue of the day was the discussion on ‘Netanyahu’s government zigzagging between Bibi’s Bar-Ilan speech and Lieberman’s speech at the UN’, as requested by the signatures of 40 MKs.

Non-Bills Summary

• Urgent queries were answered by Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.), Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) and Labor and Welfare Minister Herzog (Labor).
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) announced the committee’s decisions on which contested bills will be discussed in which committees.
• A discussion on ‘Netanyahu’s government zigzagging between Bibi’s Bar-Ilan speech and Lieberman’s speech at the UN’, as requested by the signatures of 40 MKs, was held. 17 MKs from various parties asked the Prime Minister what his plan was. The Prime Minister responded that the Bar-Ilan speech was the cornerstone of his policy. Opposition Leader Livni mocked Netanyahu by texting during his speech and by reading out the texts when it was her turn to speak. Netanyahu’s response was accepted by a Knesset vote of 53-29.
• The House Committee proposed an amendment to sections of the Knesset Regulations Book. House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) explained the proposed changes would no longer allow MKs to change their vote during a roll-call and would allow deputy ministers to present the government’s response to no-confidence motions. The Knesset approved the changes 24-0.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the State Education Bill

MK Miller (Y.B.) explained that his amendment would allow the appointment of school principles by local authorities to be vetoed by the director-general of the education ministry.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 34-0 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Amendment to the Value Added Tax Bill

MK Miller explained that his amendment would allow small businesses to pay their value added taxes on a cash basis.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 31-0 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

National Council for Food and Nutritional Security Bill

MK Avraham Balila (Kadima) explained that her amendment would create a council for food and nutritional security. She informed that most Israelis do not eat healthily, and this council will change that for the better.

Labor and Welfare Minister Herzog (Labor) expressed government support for the bill and explained the breakdown of the members of the council.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 19-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendment to the Disengagement Plan Implementation Bill

MK Elkin (Likud) explained that his amendment would enforce the implementation of the official
Disengagement Commission’s conclusions on the performance of authorities deemed competent for the evacuees of Gush Katif and northern Samaria.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 17-0 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

Amendment to the Military Justice Bill

MK Regev (Likud) explained that her amendment would add provisions regarding the implications of different qualifications in the various criminal convictions under military law. She hoped this bill would help soldiers who smoked a joint have their convictions disappear when they entered civilian life.

Amendment to the Criminal Rehabilitation of Offenders Bill

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained his similar amendment would require a military tribunal in order to register a military conviction for a soldier in his civilian life.

Minister Peled (Likud) expressed government support for both bills.

The bills passed their preliminary readings 14-0 and 10-0. They were both sent to the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee.

Amendment to the Employment of Women Bill

MK Schneller (Kadima) explained that his amendment would grant equal rights to those who wish to go abroad in the effort to adopt a child as to pregnant women.

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Noked (Labor) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 9-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.