Category: Daily Updates


Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 15: Counterfeit Alcohol Supervision

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June 14, 2012

The Knesset’s Monday session lasted about two and a half hours. Three bills were discussed. Two bills became law after passing their third readings, and one bill was advanced after passing its first reading. The interesting bill of the day places counterfeit alcoholic beverages under government supervision to ensure the public’s health.

Non-Bills Summary

  • Speaker Rivlin opened the session by informing the MKs that the new seating chart has officially taken effect. He explained the large 94-MK coalition will sit at the government wing and the right and center wings of the plenum, while the small 26-MK opposition will be restricted to the left wing of the plenum. He also switched the order of the no-confidence motions because Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) was missing.
  • Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion tilted ‘The planned brutal cuts in state budget and the increase in VAT’ was defeated 13-61.
  • Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘the government and police’s responsibility in the increase of violence in the Arab population’ was defeated 14-61.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained the amendment will push off the reform of the “sherut” taxi cabs until December 31, 2013, with the ability to push off the reform again for another year if approved by the Finance Committee and Transportation Minister.

The bill passed its second reading 20-0.

The bill passed its third reading 23-0.

Amendment to the Law and Administration Ordinance Bill

House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) explained that this amendment is the latest in a series of updates to the Law and Administration rules to meet the new Knesset protocol guidelines. He stated that there is a lot of cleanup involved in this amendment by erasing outdated paragraphs and provisions.

The bill passed its second reading 20-0.

The bill passed its third reading 18-0.

Struggle against Forging Intoxicating Liquors Bill

MK Kirshenbaum (Y.B.) explained that the amendment would place counterfeit alcohol under increased government supervision to ensure that forged intoxicated liquids don’t harm the public’s health. She said most counterfeit alcohol is imported and is cheaper than alcohol so it harms the health of the poorest and weakest populations.

MK Zeev (Shas) said he doesn’t know of any alcoholic drink that isn’t fake. He slammed today’s youth that celebrate every event in their lives with a lot of alcohol and said there is more to life than drinking. He slammed the fake medications coming out of Africa as well as the drinking culture. He noted that minors who drink are at risk of serious brain damage.

The bill passed its first reading 21-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s June 4, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02690212.doc

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 14: Term Limits and Medical Exams

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The Knesset’s Wednesday session lasted about five hours. Six bills were discussed. Two bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings, two bills avoided defeat by being turned into motions, and two bills were defeated. The bills advanced place term limits on the President of the Sharia Court of Appeal and merge the five Israeli medical exams into one standardized test that will allow Israeli medical students to graduate six months earlier. The last round of changes to the Knesset protocols was approved, completing a three year plan of protocol changes.

 

Non-Bills Summary

  • Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.), Deputy Education Minister Moses (U.T.J.) and Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon (Y.B.) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the Knesset session.
  • Speaker Rivlin gave a warm speech greeting the President of the Czech Republic’s parliament.
  • Two of the six motions discussed were sent to committee for further discussion by the votes 8-0 and 4-0. One motion was defeated 4-55, and three motions were not voted on.
  • House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced this is a special day because it involves the last round of updates to the official Knesset rules and protocols book. He explained the biggest change of the last round would be prohibiting committee votes while the plenum is in session. He said he is proud to present the changes to a vote after dozens of committee meetings over the last three years. It was approved 27-0 with one MK abstaining.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Qadis Bill

MK Majadele (Labor) explained the amendment shortens the term of office for the President of the Sharia Court of Appeal to seven years. He said the current President has been in office 18 years. He asked how every single position in Israeli democracy needs to be elected or has a term limit except for this one.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed his personal and government support for the bill. He said that there are cases where retroactive legislation is needed to correct a wrong and this is one of them.

MK Tibi (R.T.) said he supports limiting terms of high-level government officials but he stressed his opposition to retroactive and personal bills. He said that this is a way for the government to kick out a great man of integrity who was going to resign in a year anyway. He said that this is a personal political vendetta by the government against an esteemed and popular Muslim judge. He called on Justice Minister Neeman to use common sense, call the judge, have a conversation and abolish the retroactive clause of the bill.

MK Majadele rejected Tibi’s claims, noting that the original bill was also a personal bill meant to allow the judge to sit in the President’s chair for 18 years. He said that there is no place in a democracy for a dictatorship.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 35-10 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Students’ Rights Bill

MK Eldad (N.U.) explained the amendment would merge into one test the five final exams medical students take after they finish medical school in order to get their medical license. He noted 23 countries have abandoned the six month multi-test system and moved to a standard test.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) expressed government support for the bill. He said that this bill will allow medical students to graduate six months earlier, which will help Israel’s doctor shortage.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 24-1 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Motion/Amendment to the Planning and Building Bill

MK El-Sana (R.T.) explained the amendment would fund programs to legalize the illegal Bedouin communities in the Negev. He said that these citizens are looked upon as second class. He noted that some of these illegal settlements have between 1,000 to 2,000 residents each. He charged that the government’s committee on solving the problem is not showing results. He asked why dealing with a few hundred Jews in Migron and Ulpana is more important than thousands of Arabs. He said there is plenty of room for compromise since 8% of Israel’s population lives in the Negev, which makes up 60% of the country’s land mass.

Minister Begin (Likud) expressed government opposition to the bill. He agreed with El-Sana that there is a big problem but disagreed that this is the solution. He noted that over time the government has helped resettle and legalize the Negev Bedouins and less than a third of the Bedouins are still up in the air. He asked for El-Sana’s cooperation in helping him help the people that are left. He stated that those who do not wish to compromise will never find a real solution. He said the government does not even know how many people live in these Bedouin towns, estimating it is between 70,000 and 90,000 people. He said he has met personally with 500 Bedouins to hear their side and asked El-Sana to continue that dialogue by turning the bill into a motion.

MK El-Sana asked Begin what solution he offers the Bedouins in the meantime before a final solution is agreed upon. He agreed to turn the bill into a motion and discuss the matter in committee.

The motion passed 39-2-1 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Motion/Amendment to the Planning and Building Bill

MK Swaid (Hadash) explained his amendment would grant tax exemption eligibility on real estate and government assistance for young couples seeking housing. He said that this will bring down the prices of housing for young couples and make housing attainable. He stated the government should adopt more of a socialist housing model that will ensure housing for everyone.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds of financial constraints. He agreed the principle of the bill is very positive and asked Swaid to agree to turn the bill into a motion in order to discuss the issue in committee. Swaid agreed.

The motion passed 24-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

MK Gilon (Meretz) explained his amendment would grant certain benefits to disabled citizens who are reaching the age of retirement. He said that disabled people who are old suffer from two problems and they should receive double compensation from the government. He said his amendment would allow double welfare for disabled senior citizens from the age of 65. He said that as a socialist he supports high taxes and stressed that is the only way to maintain a welfare state. He stated that if a citizen is handicapped he should have all of his needs provided by the government and an NIS 10,000 monthly salary.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds of financial constraints. He said that handicapped people who cannot work receive NIS 4,000 a month until they reach the age of retirement at 67 and then they are entitled to an NIS 4,200 senior citizen monthly welfare payment. He said the government cannot afford to give senior citizens a two-year double welfare payment since it would cost hundreds of millions of shekels.

MK Gilon said the argument is who is paying what and who is receiving what. He said the government’s priorities are messed up and should be corrected. He told the government to stop trying to help the rich and to start helping the poor, adding that is true equality.

The bill was defeated 20-40.

Reward Soldiers in Regular Service Bill

Minister Begin responded to Peretz’s bill that would give soldiers minimum wage salaries in the last third of their military service. He said that the government opposes the bill because of financial constraints. He agreed that soldiers deserve that money but said the government cannot afford the billions of shekels needed to fund the program. He did stress that the government is working on their own bill that will increase the financial compensation to soldiers but will not go as far as this bill.

MK Peretz (Labor) asked Kadima, whose MKs are co-sponsors, in the name of deceased co-sponsor Kadima MK Gideon Ezra, to support the bill they gave their signature to. He slammed the government for lying to him and delaying the bill for two weeks when they knew they weren’t going to support the bill. He refused to wait for the government bill because he said that the government can’t be trusted and they will never present the bill. He warned Kadima that if they vote against the bill they will be punished since this will be an election year.

The bill was defeated 15-30.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 30, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02618812.doc

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 13: Military Reserves Day

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The Knesset’s session Tuesday lasted about and three a half hours. Six bills were discussed. Four bills became law after passing their third readings, and two bills were advanced after passing their first readings. There was no session on Monday because of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, so Monday’s agenda was postponed to Tuesday. About half of the MKs did not show up, and most of them left before the motion marking Military Reserves Day took place. Speaker Rivlin expressed his displeasure that a day that is meant to merge two days could have such a light agenda and attendance.

Non-Bills Summary

  • Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The government’s failure in the political, economic and social sectors’ was defeated 13-50.
  • Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The inability of the Netanyahu government in the social, political and economic sectors’ was defeated 13-53.
  • A motion on Military Reserves Recognition Day was discussed by Speaker Rivlin, five MKs, Deputy Minister Kara (Likud) and Minister Mofaz (Likud).

Bills Summary

Temporary Amendment to the Clean Air Bill

Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Cohen (Shas) explained the amendment shortens the approval process for polluting factories that deal with natural gas for a one year period. He said that this will pave the way for natural gas from Israel’s shores to be used for Israel as soon as possible in order to lower electricity prices.

MK Khenin (Hadash) objected to the bill on the grounds that this will allow pollution since the short appeal time will make it impossible to prevent the new factories for natural gas from being built. He said it is worth having a short term spike in electricity rates to preserve the environment as opposed to ruining the environment so we can save a few shekels. He quoted Rahm Emanuel to prove his point. He stressed the importance of keeping mother earth healthy for the next generations.

The bills paragraphs passed their second readings 19-1 and 20-2.

The bills objections were defeated 2-17 and 2-17.

The bill passed its third reading 21-1.

Amendment to the Jewish Religious Services Bill

Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Cohen explained the amendment would allow the selling of burial plots for people who are still alive in private cemeteries. He said that the amendment will also regulate the Berket cemetery and its 330,000 burial plots. He noted that there will be a cap on the price of burial plots as well as discounts for two burial plots next to each other for couples.

The bill passed its second reading 14-0.

The bill passed its third reading 14-0.

Amendment to the Sports Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained the amendment would require sports teams to insure all of their players and to release or trade players within a year of their request. He said it is important that all players are covered and have the ability to move from team to team.

The bill passed its second reading 12-0.

The bill passed its third reading 13-0.

MK Tirosh (Kadima) thanked Chairman Miller (Y.B.) for helping her advance and pass her bill. She slammed the sports unions for fighting against this bill by trying to preserve the teams’ rights to keep players under contract but on the bench. She expressed pride that the government and Knesset refused to give in to last minute pressure and passed the law.

Amendment to the Supervision of Dogs Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) praised MK Cabel (Labor) for his impressive second place finish in the Histadrut workers union chairmanship race. He explained the amendment will raise the price of non-neutered dogs’ registry cards to NIS 300 more than those for neutered dogs. He thanked everyone for helping with this bill.

The bill passed its second reading 9-0.

The bill passed its third reading 9-0.

Amendment to the Benefits for Soldiers and Their Families Bill

MK Matalon (Y.B.) explained the amendment would extend the period of time soldiers who are injured while on vacation are entitled to full benefits from 14 days to 21 days.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) supported and praised the bill. He said that as someone who was injured in active duty, there are a lot of ways the country can improve on taking care of their injured. He told his personal story in tears of how he was left in the middle of nowhere with bullet shards in his shoulder and arm and the cab they ordered him didn’t come. He went on to call on the government to finish building the fence and kick out all of the illegal immigrants.

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

MK Tirosh realized that she forgot to thank her parliamentary assistant for helping her with her bill.

Amendment to the Computer Bill

MK Avraham Balila (Kadima) explained the amendment would extend the ban on software aimed at violating someone’s privacy or eavesdropping on cell phones and the internet. She noted this bill would also allow Israel to meet their requirements as expected from the state when they signed an international agreement against cybercrimes.

MK Ben Ari said this is an important bill and expressed his support. He told the politicians that they should be condemning the violence of the illegal immigrants and not the violence of the victims of the illegal immigrants. He demanded the 80,000 to 120,000 illegal immigrants be deported. He said the danger of nuclear Iran is more dangerous than Sudan and Eritrea.

The bill passed its first reading 9-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 29, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02590212.doc

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 12: Outpost Bill Vote Delayed

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The Knesset’s Wednesday session lasted about eight and a half hours. Ten bills were discussed. Five bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings. Three bills were withdrawn to avoid defeat, one bill was turned into a motion, and one was defeated. The Outpost Bill was the last bill on the agenda and the debate was among this term’s hottest. MK Katzeleh went red in the face, his body shook, and he almost fell to the floor as he screamed at the government ministers who had flipflopped in their decision on how to vote at the last minute. Prime Minister Netanyahu got involved in the heated debate, and eventually the vote was delayed for two weeks.

 

Non-Bills Summary

  • Justice Minister Neeman, Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) and Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.
  • Six of the nine motions discussed were sent to committee by the votes 5-0, 4-0, 5-0, 11-0, 8-0 and 4-0. Two motions were defeated 6-7 and 2-2. One motion was not voted on.
  • House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced which committees would discuss which bills. The committee’s decision was approved 9-0.

 

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Railways Ordinance Bill

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) explained his amendment will reduce the fines for riding without a local train ticket. He said that thousands of people have complained to his office about getting tickets unjustifiably. He explained that even people with free monthly passes were given fines. He blasted the light rail company Citipass for fining people when they knew they were wrong. He slammed Citipass for fining people who paid but had their spouse’s bus card. He noted problems with signage, machines and transfers from Egged. He spent ten minutes giving examples of people being arrested because they didn’t have identification on them, turning them into criminals. He said an NIS 180 fine is unacceptable. He thanked Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) for supporting the bill but slammed the finance ministry for opposing his bill that would lower fines. He slammed Citipass for giving fines to mothers with strollers. He criticized the government for opposing his bill and decided to postpone the vote on his bill to a later date.

Amendment to the Knesset Bill

MK Naffaa (Balad) explained his amendment would regulate party funding distribution in the case of a faction of three MKs where one MK wants to withdraw and the other two MKs deny the third MK the right to split. He slammed Balad for taking him out of their party and not giving him his MK rights. He stressed this bill will fix his personal problem. He said it is ethically wrong to use an MK for his money but refuse to give him parliamentary tools. He decided to postpone the vote on his bill to a later date.

Motion/Amendment to the Interference with Elections Prohibition Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained her amendment would punish those who prohibit ultra-orthodox women from voting in elections. She brought up a case in the ultra-orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem where women were not allowed to vote in the local neighborhood elections. She said that the punishment for this offence would be between two and three years. She expressed disappointment that the government opposed the bill and agreed to turn the bill into a motion.

Religious Services Minister Margi (Shas) expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that the punishment is too severe. He agreed to discuss the bill in committee as a motion.

The motion passed 15-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Two Amendments to the Independence Day Bill

MK Shemtov (Y.B.) explained the amendment would change the date of Independence Day to the Thursday closest to the 4th of Iyar instead of on the 4th of Iyar itself.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) explained his similar bill would accomplish the same thing. He noted that he has tried to get this bill passed since his election to Knesset in 2006. He said the long weekend will be a great idea.

Tourism Minister Misezhnikov (Y.B.) expressed government support for the bill. He noted that in most years Independence Day has not been celebrated on the 4th of Iyar.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) opposed the bill and told the MKs supporting the bill they should be ashamed of themselves. He said Independence Day is not about the long weekend and parties and stressed it is about the holiness of the day.

MK Zeev (Shas) opposed the bill and asked when he is supposed to say Hallel- on the 4th of Iyar or on the Thursday. He said that the 4th of Iyar is a symbol and should not be moved. He stated this change is not what the public wants and religious people will be very angry if this bill passes. He said it is not up to the Knesset to change holidays, even if it is a national holiday and not a religious one.

MK Shemtov responded that the 4th of Iyar is holy but the people’s wishes need to be taken into account.

The first bill passed its preliminary reading 35-4 and was sent to the Culture Committee.

The second bill passed its preliminary reading 35-4 and was sent to the Culture Committee.

Amendment to the Transport Ordinance Bill

MK Bielski (Kadima) explained the amendment would regulate the issue of bicycles on highways. He stated that 15 bicycle riders are killed every year and 80 are injured seriously among the 300 bicycle injuries a year. He said the long list of regulations would allow bicycles on highways during certain hours.

Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) expressed government support for the bill but noted that some of the regulations written in the bill need to be changed.

MK Yoel Hasson opposed the bill and slammed the restrictions on the bicycle riders. He said that overall this bill will reduce the number of bicycle riders because of the restrictions on using headphones. He said that he will fight for cyclist rights.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 25-0 with 3 MKs abstaining and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Plant Protection Bill

MK Molla (Kadima) explained his amendment would exempt certain provisions of the bill for teff grains. He said that teff grains are a popular Ethiopian food and this bill will make importing easier for an important food that is not grown in Israel. He said it is a healthy food and the government should help out here.

Agriculture Minister Noked (Independence) expressed government support for the bill. She noted that it would have to reflect the international agreements that Israel has signed.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 24-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Organ Transplant Bill

MK Gal-On (Meretz) explained her amendment would give priority to a relative in cases of living donor organ donations. She said that the benefits that are given to deceased organ donors should also be given to live donors and that live donors should get an additional bonus. She said that this bill will encourage people to give their live organs. She noted that the bill would place live organ donors highest on the organ donor list in cases of need.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 33-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendment to the Local Authorities Bill

MK Barakeh (Hadash) explained his amendment would apply municipal property tax exemptions currently in place for soldiers, victims of war and police to young couples as well. He said the current system discriminates against Arabs since they don’t serve the country.

Religious Services Minister Margi expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that there is a government committee that is discussing the issue and there is no need for the bill until the committee submits its results.

The bill was defeated 14-34.

Respecting the Rights of the Founders of Buildings in Judea and Samaria Bill

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) waved to the hundreds of residents of the Ulpana neighborhood in Beit El who were sitting in the gallery. He said that the decree that would evict them from their homes by July 1st is unacceptable. He thanked Speaker Rivlin for agreeing that this bill is legal and constitutional. He explained that if a house is built in any part of Israel and there is government support through signatures and infrastructure, and it turns out that the land purchased belongs to someone else and that is proven by the Supreme Court, the government will seize the land and compensate the original owner financially. He stressed that the arrangement of knocking down houses or evicting people in these cases won’t happen. He revealed that he met with Prime Minister Netanyahu who asked him to delay the bill by two weeks. He told the residents of Judea and Samaria to look at the Likud and this nationalist government that is instructing the government to vote against the solution to their problems. He noted that most of the 65 nationalist MKs wanted to vote for this bill and Prime Minister Netanyahu is preventing them from doing so. He asked why Defense Minister Barak or some random lawyer has more influence over Netanyahu than his natural partners. He looked at the nationalist MKs and asked them how they can have hearts of stone. He charged that they don’t care about throwing people out of their homes. He called on coalition MKs to support the bill. He said Netanyahu is sending him messages asking him to delay the vote but he refuses. He told the MKs trying to convince him to drop the bill and be a politician that he isn’t a politician. He said even if the bill falls it is important that one Jew stands up and says enough is enough. He asked where the hearts are of the MKs and told them that they have no heart.

Minister Begin (Likud) responded that the government opposes the bill on the grounds that they requested two weeks to examine a different solution to the Ulpana problem before bringing this bill to a vote. He said that Katzeleh’s decision to vote on the bill instead of waiting forces the government’s hand to oppose it. He responded that he has a heart and it isn’t a heart of stone, it is a heart of responsibility that goes hand in hand with the brain and common sense. He said that the issues this bill causes are of greater concern than its benefits. MK Ben Ari (N.U.) heckled Begin and was thrown out by Speaker Rivlin. This led to heckling from the Arab and Meretz MKs. Begin called on Katzeleh to withdraw the bill for the sake of the 350,000 residents of Judea and Samaria. MK Zahalka (Balad) was thrown out by Speaker Rivlin for heckling as well.

MK Katzeleh apologized for getting overly emotional and the things that he said. He thanked the government, including Minister Mofaz (Kadima) and Defense Minister Barak (Independence), for building up Judea and Samaria. He said that the government can decide to override a court sentence for justice as they do in prisoner exchanges. He told Prime Minister Netanyahu that Netanyahu’s people asked his Rabbi, Rav Melamed, to postpone the vote on the bill.

Prime Minister Netanyahu responded that he didn’t ask Katzeleh to postpone the bill and he should bring it if he wanted to. He rejected Katzeleh’s claim that he sent messengers to Rav Melamed.

MK Katzeleh decided to withdraw his bill.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) said the government’s position is that if Katzeleh decides to withdraw the bill, the government will support that move.

Speaker Rivlin agreed and announced that since the MK and government agree the vote on the bill will be postponed for two weeks.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 23, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02514012.doc

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 11: Psychologist Sex and Earthquakes

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June 3, 2012

The Knesset’s Tuesday session lasted about three hours. Two bills were discussed. One bill became law after passing its third reading, and one was advanced after passing its first reading. The new law prohibits sexual relations, even if consensual, between a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker and a patient.

 

Non-Bills Summary

  • 17 MKs took part in the one minute speech segment that opened the day.
  • A motion marking National Student Day was discussed by Speaker Rivlin, Deputy Minister Gamliel (Likud) and 7 MKs.
  • A motion on Jewish Identity Day was discussed by Religious Services Minister Margi (Shas) and 3 MKs.

 

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

Justice, Law and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained the amendment would prohibit a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker from engaging in sexual activities with a patient during treatment up until three years after the treatments end. He announced the punishment will be four years in prison. He stressed there is no such thing as consensual sex between a healer and a patient.

The bill passed its second reading 12-0.

The bill passed its third reading 12-0.

MK Shai (Kadima) thanked the Knesset for approving his bill. He expressed regret on the compromises he made in regards to alternative medicine but agreed that this is an important first step towards rectifying a hole in Israeli law.

Amendment to the Lands Bill

MK Orlev (J.H.) explained the amendment attempts to combat the issue of strengthening condominiums and apartment buildings against earthquakes by facilitating easier conditions for strengthening joint buildings.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) supported Orlev’s bill and gave a dvar torah (a speech on Jewish studies).

MK Zeev (Shas) expressed his support for the bill and pointed out that this bill might be able to save lives by making it easier to strengthen apartments against earthquakes.

MK Whbee (Kadima) supported and praised the bill. He thanked Orlev for trying to limit the bureaucracy involved in this process. He warned that earthquakes are a real threat in our area and people should act before it is too late.

MK Michaeli (Shas) supported and blessed the bill. He said that old buildings are in danger of collapse and this will make it easier to save them from disaster.

The bill passed its first reading 9-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 22, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02483612.doc

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