Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Tuesday’s session lasted two hours and forty five minutes. Five bills were discussed, and they were all advanced after passing their first readings. Among the bills were a bill that would limit the purchase and transfer of Israel’s land rights to foreigners and a bill that would force all telecommunications and broadcasting companies to offer a free parent lock to block malicious web sites.

Non-Bills Summary

• 14 MKs participated in the one-minute speech segment.
• Speaker Rivlin greeted World WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organization), who marked 90 years of activity. A motion on the subject was discussed by two MKs.
• Two motions were discussed by a combined four MKs at the end of the session. Both motions were passed and sent for further discussion in the Knesset committees by the votes 8-0 and 5-0.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Youth Bill

MK Levy-Abekasis (Y.B.) explained that her amendment would offer both care and supervision of minors who commit a crime by protecting them against harmful publications about crimes they committed or private information that can be found on the internet.

MK Molla (Kadima) said that the bill was important and he supported it but wondered which minister would enforce this bill. He went on to slam the government for five minutes. Speaker Rivlin asked Molla to step down from the podium if he supports the bill and plans on criticizing the government in the time he has left.

MK Ghilon (Meretz) said he supported the bill, even though it comes from the party that he despises the most.

MK Zeev (Shas) said he supported the bill. He gave an example of four yeshiva students who were wrongly named on an internet site as criminals and now will not be accepted into the army. He hoped this bill would change these things.

The bill passed its first reading 13-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Land Bill

MK Orbach (J.H.) explained that an apartment may run a Shabbat elevator if a simple majority, or 51%, of the residents wish to have one. He informed that this will force the 49% of the building that do not want to use the Shabbat elevator to use it, but they will be exempt from paying for it. He noted countless court cases on the subject and said he felt this was the best solution. He said he hopes that this will encourage religious people to move into buildings with secular people.

MK Ilatov (Y.B.) said that he has objected to the bill for eight months and after countless compromises in the committee he feels good with the bill.

MK Zeev said the bill doesn’t go far enough and suggested demanding that all the residents of the building pay for the Shabbat elevator, just like they have to pay for other things they don’t necessarily want in their building.

The bill passed its first reading 14-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Israel Lands Bill

MK Shai (Kadima) explained that his amendment would limit the purchase and transfer of Israel’s land rights to foreigners. He informed the plenum that the Israel land reform created an atmosphere where foreigners were able to come in and buy up large packages of Israeli land, and his bill will place certain restrictions on foreigners doing so. He noted that several democratic countries, including practically all of Europe, have passed this very bill in the past few years. He said that many foreigners own property in Israel and do not live here, thereby increasing the housing shortage. He stated that the bill would not violate any international agreements that Israel has signed.

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) informed that it is not just residential, but tens of thousands of agricultural dunams have been bought up by foreigners as well, particularly in Zikhron Ya’akov and Binyamina. He called on the government to investigate these occurrences. He stated that with the illegal immigrants and these foreigners closing in on us, Israel’s Jews are running out of land.

MK Ariel (N.U.) blasted the housing shortage and crisis. He revealed that he proposed a similar bill earlier in the term that did not receive government support. He called the trouble in the Labor party a circus. He attacked MKs who promise one thing before elections and do the complete opposite when they are elected. He slammed Kadima and Sharon as the ones who started the business of splitting up parties. He said that he hopes the circus leaves town soon.

MK Molla reminded Ariel that after the split between Kadima and Likud, Prime Minister Sharon called elections and the public gave Kadima 29 seats and the Likud 12. Ariel and Katzeleh walked out as Molla was talking. Molla went on to make excuses for Sharon and concluded by expressing his support for the bill.

MK Eldad (N.U.) mocked Molla at the beginning of his speech and called him a sour pickle. Eldad said that he supports the bill and the supervision of selling property to foreigners. He suggested looking at Jerusalem as the top priority of the bill and stopping the Saudi prince from buying up new Jewish neighborhoods.

MK Yacimovich (Labor) stated that the sin of privatizing the land of Israel has brought upon Israel this disaster of foreigners buying it up. She said that this bill was born as a band aid to try to slowly avoid the inevitable end of Zionism, which the privatization created. She expressed support for the bill and hope that this search and rescue mission is successful but said she remained pessimistic.

MK Zeev slammed the P.A. for passing a law that says that any Palestinian who sells land to a Jew will be sentenced to death. He also blasted former Likud politician Dov Weissglass for assisting Abu Dhabi citizens in buying up Jewish apartments in the old city of Jerusalem. He called Palestine and Saudi Arabia enemies that must be fought in the realm of this bill and many other bills to come.

The bill passed its first reading 16-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Communications Bill

MK Miller (Y.B.) said that this bill was the most important bill he has brought in front of the Knesset this term. He explained his amendment would force all telecommunications and broadcasting companies to offer a free parent lock to block malicious web sites and content from children. He said that right now there are parent locks, but they cost money, and this bill will force the companies to give it to their customers as a free service. He expressed hope that this bill, when passed, will protect children from malicious content.

MK Ariel said that as a father he supports the bill that brings order to the jungle we call the internet. He said he hopes this bill keeps the bad animals in the jungle and allows our children to surf without worries. He praised Miller for presenting a medication to the disease called the internet.

MK Katzeleh said that he feels that it is a good bill but that it should also apply to radio. He said that radio shows incite racism against religious people, immigrants, nationalistic people and settlers. He expressed fear that the youth will be influenced by such things and will act violently against Israel’s minorities. He blasted radio journalist Moshe Hanegbi. He called on the public to send him emails at katzya@knesset.gov.il about Hanegbi, and he will read them out every week from the Knesset podium.

MK Zeev blasted television and its slutty reality television shows. He said that television is a drug and it is worse than the internet. He said that it is harder to recover from television and the internet than alcohol. He expressed regret that this legislation will not do enough because children will find a way to get around the parental controls. He called on Israel to show some principles and morals instead of watching terrible television shows. He concluded by slamming Facebook, which is not included in the parent block.

MK Eldad said that just by going to a news website one can find a slutty advertisement. He went on to blast the government for not arresting those who incite to kill him and instead selectively choose to arrest those who wish to kill left-wing figures. He asked how a person who tells him that he wants to shoot him in front of his kids can be allowed to walk freely, but someone who posts a youtube video is arrested.

The bill passed its first reading 14-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Career Soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces Service Bill

The following was presented the previous Tuesday and brought for a vote today.

“MK Schneller (Kadima) explained that his amendment would allow career soldiers the benefits they are entitled to by the government security industries. He gave an example of a computer specialist who worked in the army for twenty years and realizes that if he works privately after he retires he will pay very high taxes and barely make any money. He said those talented people go overseas instead. He stated that this bill would prevent that very situation. He said that because the government was opposing the bill, even though they supported it in its preliminary reading, he would not request a vote on it.”

The bill passed its first reading 12-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Monday’s session lasted five hours and fifteen minutes. Eight bills were discussed. Seven bills became law after passing their third readings. One bill was advanced after passing its first reading. The new laws included extensions for allowing Israelis to be drafted as policemen and prison guards instead of soldiers.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu isolated Israel in a series of political actions and omissions’ was defeated 34-51-1.
• The three Israeli Arab parties’ no-confidence motion titled ‘Planning and Building in Arab communities’ was defeated 29-54.
• Speaker Rivlin eulogized former MK David Coren, a Labor MK from 1969-1977.
• The Government announcement on the transfer of powers surrounding Israel’s firefighters from Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) to Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch was discussed by six MKs and approved 29-4.
• The Government request to extend the validity of the temporary order of the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Bill was approved 28-9.
• Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman MK Rotem (Y.B.) outlined the decision of his committee to correct a technical change in the Amendment of the Children Adoption Bill. It was approved 8-0.
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) announced which disputed bills would be discussed in which committees.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Security Service Bill

Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman MK Mofaz (Kadima) informed the plenum that in 2005 the government made a decision to move all of the military prisons which hold security prisoners (such as Ofer and Kesiot) from the military to prison services. This caused a manpower issue, which was solved by a temporary order allowing the placement of soldiers into the prison service as part of their mandatory military service for five years until the end of 2010. Mofaz said that his committee wishes to extend this temporary order for another year. Meretz announced they would oppose the bill, but did not explain why.

The bill passed its second reading 38-3.

The bill passed its third reading 39-2.

Amendment to the Security Service Bill

Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman MK Mofaz explained that his temporary order would allow the placement of soldiers into the police service as part of their mandatory military service. He said police manpower is very low and they need increased “bodies”. He explained that the temporary order will extend this arrangement for another six months.

The bill passed its second reading 35-1.

The bill passed its third reading 31-1.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

Funds Committee Chairman MK Gafni (U.T.J.) explained that this bill was part of the Arrangements Bill. He said the bill would change the tax exemptions given to employers who hire college students to do research and tax exemptions on scholarships given to college students.

The bill passed its second reading 20-0.

The bill passed its third reading 20-0.

Amendment to the Streamlining the Enforcement Process of the Securities Authority Bill

Funds Committee Chairman MK Gafni said that this bill was the biggest bill his committee has received this year, even bigger than the Arrangements Bill. He explained that the bill will bring an entire reform to the Securities Authority.

MK Oron said he was worried that the bill would violate citizens’ basic rights but hopes that the committee found a good balance. He praised Gafni for working together with the opposition on this bill and others in order to show wall-to-wall support on these important bills.

The bill passed its second reading 25-0.

The bill passed its third reading 27-0.

Funds Committee Chairman MK Gafni explained that it was difficult to pass such a big bill without any opposition.  He thanked his assistants and the committee assistants for helping him get there.

Amendment to the Economic Efficiency Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman MK Katz explained that the amendment on the implementation of the economic program for 2009 and 2010 would allow citizens to place money in older provident funds for another year.

The bill passed its second reading 26-0.

The bill passed its third reading 24-0.

Amendment to the Prison Service Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch explained that the amendment would prevent a security prisoner from meeting with a lawyer when it is suspected that the prisoner will use that meeting to compromise national security or cause rioting within the prison. He explained that certain lawyers are messengers of terrorist organizations and they use loopholes in order to meet and conspire with the jailed security prisoners.

MK Khenin (Hadash) objected to the bill and said that meeting a lawyer is not a privilege but a right, and without it there is no justice system. He criticized the fact that in certain situations a judge can extend this clause and prevent a prisoner from seeing a lawyer for six months. He said that this bill seriously questions the legitimacy of the Israeli justice system.

The bill passed its first reading 16-4 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Contracts Bill

Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman MK Rotem (Y.B.) explained that the amendment would change the law to overrule a Supreme Court ruling that allows one to read a contract in two different ways.

The bill passed its second reading 10-0.

The bill passed its third reading 10-0.

MK Levin (Likud) said that he was proud to sponsor a bill that clarifies the law and overrules a pointless Supreme Court ruling. He thanked his assistants and co-sponsors and the MKs who approved the bill.

Amendment to the Municipal Taxes and the Government Taxes Ordinance Bill

MK Orlev (J.H.) explained that his amendment would provide a tax exemption for youth hostels and field schools. He went on to thank the lobbyists who brought this bill to him and his assistants.

The bill passed its second reading 4-0.

The bill passed its third reading 6-0.

Last Wednesday’s session lasted about five hours. Eleven bills were discussed. Five bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings, two bills were pulled in order to avoid defeat and four bills were defeated. The bills advanced dealt with alcoholic beverage recycling labels, the considerations for releasing mentally ill patients, adding the army’s chief rabbi to Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Council and recognizing Jerusalem as a priority “A” area.

Non-Bills Summary

• Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) and Culture and Sports Minister Livnat (Likud) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.
• MK Rotem announced the House Committee’s decisions about which disputed bills would be discussed in which committees.
• A motion on the Government exempting haredim from the army was discussed by 14 MKs. The opposition MKs’ proposals on the motion were defeated 10-29, 11-26-2 and 11-29. The coalition proposal was accepted 24-10.
• Two other motions were discussed. Two Shas MKs discussed Minister Yishai’s lynching by Ahuva Tomer’s life partner. That motion was not voted on. Five MKs discussed the demolition of the Shepherd Hotel; the motion was defeated 1-5.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Compensation on Recycling Beverage Containers Bill

MK Vaknin (Shas) explained that his amendment is a technical change that would delay the increase of the recycling refund of alcoholic beverages from 25 agurot to 30 agurot for labels that were printed before the bill passed and that would give the companies an extra six months to sell their merchandise at the 25 agurot rate.

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

MK Horowitz (Meretz) objected to the bill and said that the companies shouldn’t get an extra six months to rip off the public. He attacked the companies for refusing to include all bottles in the recycling refund bill. He noted that when the bill passed in April no one thought they would ask for more extensions. Horowitz pondered if this would be the last extension.

MK Vaknin said that Horowitz didn’t understand the bill. He explained that no matter what the public will receive 30 agurot per bottle. He informed the technical change is that the label may remain with a 25 agurot symbol for another six months. He said there is no reason to force the companies to waste money on changing the labels.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 32-2 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Treatment of Mental Patients Bill

MK Regev (Likud) explained that her amendment would make stricter the considerations for the release of mentally ill patients who are hospitalized because of violent acts and those who have been committed as mentally ill patients by a court order sentence. She hoped that this bill would prevent violent mentally ill people from attacking others.

Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 44-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendment to the Elections Bill

MK Tiviaev (Kadima) explained that his amendment would prevent election fraud by printing a barcode on each voting slip. He quoted Churchill, who said that democracy is not perfect, but it is the best way to govern. Tiviaev suggested that the act of giving people their voting slips before they show up to the polls reminds him of a dictatorship. He slammed Yisrael Beitenu and Shas for finding the cracks in the Israeli system and suggested that they are the parties that are trying to defeat this bill.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) said that he and the government object to the bill. He said that the assumption behind the bill insults the intelligence of the voters.

MK Tiviaev said that we need order to protect our democracy. He charged that the voting fraud of giving people their voting slips before they vote is widespread and illegal. He said that he is open to other solutions, but the voting fraud must be abolished.

The bill was defeated 27-38.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained that his amendment would give senior citizens an exemption from paying capital gains tax and tax on provident funds. He said that the current system is simply highway robbery of the elderly. He told stories of people who lost money in the stock market because they felt the banks were not giving them enough interest. He said that today no one takes a provident fund because it is no longer financially worthwhile and instead are keeping their money in dollars overseas.

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) expressed government opposition to the bill. He explained that the government budgets 10 billion NIS for provident funds and that it is not a sin to tax them a little. He said that he is willing to try and meet Sheetrit halfway on the exemption from capital gains tax and asked Sheetrit to postpone the bill for three months so they can discuss it further.

MK Sheetrit agreed to delay the vote for three months.

Amendment to the National Health Insurance Bill

MK Agbaria (Hadash) explained that his amendment would entitle every citizen to vaccinations against all infectious diseases at no charge. He noted that the payment expected for chicken pox shots is very high and that results in 60-70% of the population not getting vaccinated.

Transportation Minister Katz noted that all children born after January 1, 2007, have been vaccinated for most infectious diseases at no charge and that it is a felony to not receive those vaccinations. He noted that other vaccinations are offered at a very low cost. He stated that there is no budget to vaccinate those who are older.

MK Agbaria complained that the government won’t even vaccinate chicken pox. He asked to turn the bill into a motion and discuss the matter in the Health Committee. His request was rejected.

The bill was defeated 20-39.

Amendment to the Prohibition of Kosher Fraud Bill

MK Horowitz stated that he is against religion, Judaism, kashrut and the religious ministry. He explained that his amendment would require supervision and control the prices on kosher certificates. He said that there is a monopoly that entitles the kashrut companies to constantly raise their prices for certificates. He said that he hates kashrut but feels he needs to present this bill for store owners who are being robbed. He also asked that the kosher supervising companies not be allowed to require store owners to buy kosher products that are more expensive.

Religious Affairs Minister Margi (Shas) said that the bill was presented without doing homework. He explained that currently the Finance Committee supervises the kosher certificates. He stated that because there is Knesset supervision and control of the prices on kosher certificates, there is no reason to pass the bill.

MK Horowitz explained that his amendment would allow the chief rabbi to revoke kosher certificates and place fines on high prices. He stated that experts came up with this bill and that the minister doesn’t understand his bill.

The bill was defeated 12-40.

Amendment to the Water and Sewage Bill

MK Tirosh (Kadima) explained that her amendment would provide an exemption to the VAT on the water rates. She said that raising the water taxes is one thing but double taxation through the VAT is another. She screamed at Netanyahu for not doing anything. She warned that people will start protesting soon and that it might spin out of control. Likud ministers heckled her as she raised her voice. Speaker Rivlin suggested Tirosh finish her speech, and she did.

MK Tirosh decided to pull her bill and vote on it at a later date.

Estate Tax Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained that the estate tax is too high for the lower and middle classes and that the estate tax for higher-income classes is too low. She informed that her amendment would fix that. She blasted the government for regressive indirect taxes that hurt the middle class when they could raise indirect taxes that would hurt the rich, such as the estate tax. She said that the country must return to socialism and abandon its capitalistic tendencies. She warned that Israel is going towards early-20^th century Russia and Germany in the 1930s and 1940s.

Environment Minister Erdan said that Solodkin is exaggerating in her predictions. He expressed government opposition to the bill. He noted that Solodkin is asking for double taxation because the person who earned the money paid income tax on it. He added that many elderly rich people make aliya to Israel because of its low estate taxes and Israel is not interested in discouraging this practice.

The bill was defeated 8-28.

Amendment to the Courts Bill

MK Shai (Kadima) explained that his amendment would place a limitation on the validity of gag orders. He stated that gag orders are given out excessively, over one hundred annually, and there is no expiration date on them. He said that it is a violation of freedom of the press and the right of the public to know. He noted that the situation today is that the foreign media covers the stories that have a gag order on them and that Israelis receive the news from the world’s bloggers instead of from its own press. He said that we should require those who request a gag order to have a judge extend it every so often. He stated that there are gag orders on current investigations that have been going on for years.

Environment Minister Erdan said that asking a judge to hear a gag order extension every two weeks is excessive and therefore the government is against the bill. He said that what Shai is asking for is a waste of time and money. Erdan explained that the part of the bill that entitles a journalist to fast-track an appeal on a gag order is accepted by the government. He said that the government will only support this part of the bill and will oppose the rest of it. He blasted Shai for trying to waste police manpower that barely has enough resources to enforce the law on a trip to the courts every week. He also slammed Shai for putting limitations on court decisions.

MK Shai agreed to only advance the part of the bill that the government supports. He went on to criticize Erdan and the Likud.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 32-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Jerusalem – Israel’s Capital Bill

MK Ariel (N.U.) praised Jerusalem Mayor Barkat for attending this important session to support this very important bill. He stated that 40 MKs have agreed to co-sponsor his bill. He offered his condolences to MK Elkin (Likud), whose father passed away this week. Ariel explained that his amendment would require the government to give a priority to Jerusalem through economic aspects. He informed that the bill requires the government to recognize Jerusalem as a priority “A” area in terms of building, housing, industry and commerce. He noted that the construction freeze on eastern Jerusalem is raising the prices of housing nationally, made worse by the building freeze in Judea and Samaria which has created the housing shortage. He blasted the government for opposing this bill and questioned where their priorities are. He warned that more people are leaving Jerusalem than moving to Jerusalem and that it must raise a red flag. He called on the government to reconsider and vote for the bill.

Environment Minister Erdan said that he agreed with MK Ariel that Jerusalem should be the government’s top priority. He explained that he supports the bill and the government does as well. He said he would not comment on the rest of Ariel’s words.

MK Oron (Meretz) opposed the bill. He said that he doesn’t want to enter the “who loves Jerusalem more” contest, because he knows he will lose. He confessed he wants to see Jerusalem divided now and for future generations. He charged that the government doesn’t really want this bill to pass and will kill it in the committee. He doubted that the government will give Jerusalem the NIS 400 million budget required by the bill. He blasted the current NIS 270 million budget for Jerusalem and says that it comes at the expense of the education and health budgets. He blasted former Meretz Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Pepe for supporting this bill.

MK Ariel said that Oron didn’t read or didn’t understand the bill. He said that the bill will give money to Jerusalem indirectly, not directly, and that is the way MKs get things done.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 39-7 and was sent to the House Committee to determine if the Finance or Funds Committee will discuss the bill further.

Amendment to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Bill

MK Ariel explained that his amendment would add the army chief rabbi to Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Council. Speaker Rivlin informed the MKs that the government supports the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 20-2 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Last Tuesday’s session was about three and a half hours long. Four bills were discussed. Three bills were advanced after passing their first reading and one bill was not voted on.  The Ethiopian Affirmative Action Bill was advanced without the presence of Ethiopian MK Molla (Kadima), who is not a sponsor of the bill and did not speak last time the bill came up in the plenum. Two former journalist MKs voted against a bill that would prohibit the publication of photographs of terrorist attack victims.

Non-Bills Summary

• 17 MKs participated in the one-minute speech segment of the day. Most discussed the budget. Minister Begin responded to the MKs at the end of the segment.
• Three motions on various topics in the news were discussed. They were sent for further discussion in various committees by the votes of 15-1, 8-0 and 16-0.
• Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Noked (Labor) answered a query.

Bills Summary

Expanding the Fair Representation of the Ethiopians in the Civil Service Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) blasted the parents of the Carmel fire who made a spectacle of themselves in the state memorial for their shloshim. He then explained that his amendment would help fight prejudice against Ethiopians by demanding a quota for their people as part of an affirmative action that would raise their representation in the civil service and the public companies. He noted that there is only one Ethiopian in the entire civil service.

MK Naffaa (Balad) said this is a worthy bill. He expressed his feeling that all minorities are discriminated against and that this bill won’t be enforced. He criticized the government for cutting funds for the Druze and Circassian communities. He blasted fellow Druze MKs Matalon and Kara, and praised Druze MK Whbee, who fought with him for Druze rights.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) said that he volunteered to help absorb the Ethiopians when they arrived in the 1980s, particularly in Kiryat Gat, and that he supports the bill enthusiastically. He said that although affirmative action is a good thing, it does hurt people who are “normal” and come from good families. He suggested that the affirmative action bill be amended to put a limit of 15 years on the quota, in order to put a deadline on the absorption of their aliyah.

MK Akunis (Likud) praised former Prime Minister Shamir, who brought the Ethiopians to Israel. He noted that there are 120,000 Ethiopians in Israel today and that 74% of them make minimum wage or are unemployed.

MK Tibi (R.T.) said that affirmative action of Arabs is barely enforced in the civil service and public sectors. He said that he doubts this bill will be enforced. He attacked House Committee Chairman Levin for delaying bills in his committee that would enforce Arab affirmative action.

MK Zeev (Shas) said that he doesn’t like the idea of affirmative action because at this point there is too much of it, although he agrees with it from a moral point of view. He attacked those in the civil service and the public sector who do not hire religious people because of their restrictions of not working on Shabbat and the Jewish holidays.

The bill passed its first reading 10-0 and was sent to the Immigration and Absorption Committee.

Amendment to the Protection of Privacy Bill

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) explained that his amendment would prohibit the publication of photographs of those injured or killed in terrorist attacks or other disasters without their family’s consent. He said that we have a moral right to those who are hurt to protect them and their rights over the principle of freedom of the press.

MK Ben Ari said that the press should not look at this as an attack. He said the press has their place and this is not one of them. He said that journalists take pictures instead of helping injured people, and this bill will change that. He asked the press to keep their nose out of these issues.

MK Zeev blasted the media for past photos that were hard to stomach and said that limits must be put on the freedom of the press in this regard.

MK Ezra (Kadima) said that sometimes we need to use very tough pictures to show the world what the terrorists are doing to us. He said allowing the Palestinians to be the only side to show these types of pictures is giving them a clear advantage.

MK Orbach (J.H.) said that he doesn’t feel comfortable with this bill. He said he is against limiting freedom of the press and that the Knesset should not do such things. He told the Knesset to let the press choose their own ethics and let the public judge. He asked if the next bill will outlaw reality television because they are not politically correct.

MK Yacimovich (Labor) said that this bill has no place in Israeli society. She said this bill will prohibit the press from covering the most important stories. She said the press is responsible and this bill is among the worst she has ever seen. She called on the Knesset to oppose it.

MK Adatto (Kadima) said that as a hospital general manager she begged the press to stop filming the dead and injured in the hospital. She said she is very much for this bill.

MK Gafni (U.T.J.) said that a balance is needed but that the legislation comes from the fact that the press ignores their ethics committee decisions. He said that the press worship ratings and their own interests. He said that we can’t trust the press because they have failed. He asked why we can criticize the prime minister, celebrities, politicians, musicians and athletics, but we can’t criticize the press.

The bill passed its first reading 15-1 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

MK Cabel (Labor) explained that the amendment would prohibit the army from paying a salary to reservists through an employer. He explained the employers ask for the army to pay them for seven days per week instead of five days per week. He also noted some employers don’t give the full amount to the soldier. He explained that his bill would force the army to give the soldier the full amount instead of giving it to an employer. He praised his co-sponsor MK Ezra, who signed dozens of MKs to support the bill.

The bill passed its first reading 6-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Israel Defense Forces Pensions Bill

MK Schneller (Kadima) explained that his amendment would allow career soldiers the benefits they are entitled to by the government security industries. He gave an example of a computer specialist who worked in the army for twenty years and realizes that if he works privately after he retires he will pay very high taxes and barely make any money. He said those talented people go overseas instead. He stated that this bill would prevent that very situation. He said that because the government was opposing the bill, even though they supported it in its preliminary reading, he would not request a vote on it.

Monday’s session lasted about three and a half hours. Four bills were discussed. Three bills were advanced after passing their first readings and one bill became law after passing its third reading. The new law discusses the strengthening of buildings for earthquakes. The bills advanced discussed supervision of bank committees, a center for collecting fines, and female representation in public companies’ directorial boards.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu government’s cuts in the budgets of the Druze and Circassian sectors’ was defeated 34-54 with 32 MKs not present.
• The three Israeli-Arab parties’ no-confidence motion titled ‘Raising water prices and gas taxes’ was defeated 31-55 with 34 MKs not present.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Land Bill

Interior Committee Chairman MK Azoulay (Shas) explained that the amendment would require the strengthening of all condominium buildings to withstand earthquakes. He added that buildings that cannot withstand an earthquake may be vacated by the government if two-thirds of the building agrees to the terms.

The bill passed its second reading 43-0.

The bill passed its third reading 44-0.

MK Orlev (J.H.) thanked the Knesset for supporting his bill but warned that this was only the first step. He said he preferred lowering the threshold to 50% of the building, because 50,000 buildings in Israel currently could not withstand an earthquake.

MK Azoulay said he hopes that mayors will help the government enforce these new regulations in their cities in a timely fashion.

Amendment to the Banking Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) explained that the amendment would increase monitoring and supervision on the banks’ directorial committees.

MK Oron (Meretz) said he feels private interests are controlling the banks in Israel and this bill will help cover that fact up.

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) said that he felt there should be no government interference in private business and therefore he was against the bill.

The bill passed its first reading 24-0 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

The two objectors to the bill did not vote.

Amendment to the Center to Collect Fines, Fees and Expenses Bill

Deputy Minister Gamliel (Likud) explained that the amendment would combine the records for fines, fees and expenses in one center that would have the power to increase interest on unpaid debts once a year. She hoped this bill would help increase the collection of unpaid debts citizens have towards the country which, in turn, would increase the State budget.

MK Sheetrit said that he offered a similar bill and it was rejected. He said that the current situation is a bit crazy and something needs to be done to change it. He said that right now there are over a million unpaid debts to the country that account for over a trillion NIS. He added that some fines are too high because of long unpaid interest and should be lowered.

MK Zeev (Shas) offered a quote from Parshat Bahar that forbids interest. He blasted the bill that will make it easier to take a refrigerator or a bed from a poor person who has no money. He said he hoped those supporting the bill will be able to sleep tonight knowing they voted for a bill that will throw people out on the street.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) called the bill terrible. He talked about the Sochat trial, in which two people were forced to confess to a murder and then released nine months later when the real murderers were found. He said he was afraid that it was a widespread phenomenon that the police do when they can’t find a killer. He said he was worried about the people who are serving life sentences but are really innocent.

The bill passed its first reading 15-0 with MK Zeev abstaining and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Companies Bill

Deputy Minister Gamliel explained that the amendment would require representation from both sexes on the board of a public company. She added that the amendment would require at least one female representative who is not a wife, sister, mother or daughter of another board member.

MK Ben Ari said that there is equality between the sexes and that this bill will hurt that. He said women should be at home putting their kids to bed at night, instead of staying at work late for board meetings. He went on to criticize the left for supporting terrorists and demanded they protect their children instead.

MK Rotem (Y.B.) said that the bill comes from a good place. He said that the chairman in his house is his wife and that there is no need for legislation. He blasted the bill that allows the minority to choose a female representative who is not wanted by the controlling interests of a company.

Deputy Minister Gamliel responded that under the bill the controlling interests would present a list of recommendations and the minority would choose a candidate from the list.

The bill passed its first reading 13-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.