Category: Daily Updates


Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 5: 94-MK Coalition

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 4 Comments
May 28, 2012

The Knesset’s Tuesday session lasted about an hour and 15 minutes. It was a short day since everyone had expected early elections to be called the night before. Speaker Rivlin explained that the MKs will have to get back to their normal work.

Non-Bills Summary

  • 16 MKs gave one minute speeches. The main topic was the cancellation of early elections and the new national unity coalition of 94 MKs. Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) responded at the end to the 16 MKs’ statements.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 8, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: Bug on Knesset website, not available.

 

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 4: From Early Elections to Unity Government

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The Knesset’s Monday session started at 4 PM and ended at 2:51 AM. When the Knesset convened it was going to call for early elections to take place September 4, 2012. By the end of the night it was clear that a new Likud-Kadima coalition agreement would call off the move for early elections, pushing elections back to their original date of October 22, 2013. Fifteen bills were discussed. Fourteen bills became law after passing their third readings, and one bill was advanced after passing its first reading. Some interesting laws passed in the middle of the night when new elections were knocking at the door.

 

Non-Bills Summary

  • Kadima’s no-confidence motion was defeated 44-63 with one MK abstaining. Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion was defeated 41-65 with one MK abstaining. Labor’s no-confidence motion was defeated 47-62 with one MK abstaining. National Union’s no-confidence motion was defeated 6-62 with 23 MKs abstaining.
  • New Kadima MK Yuval Zellner was sworn in, taking former Kadima MK Tzipi Livni’s place.
  • Herzl Day was marked by speeches from Speaker Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Mofaz.
  • House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced which disputed bills will be discussed in which committees.
  • Bills calling for new elections were submitted by Minister Erdan (Likud) and nine other MKs. This led to a long discussion that provided the opportunity for campaign speeches. At the end of the discussion Erdan’s bill was passed in its first reading 109-1 (Labor MK Majadele opposed) with ten MKs not present for the vote. The other bills passed their preliminary readings 100-2, 87-3, 96-2-1, 101-2-1, 91-2-1, 86-3-1, 101-2-1, 72-4-2 and 96-2-2.

Bills Summary 

Medical Equipment Bill

MK Eldad (N.U.) explained that this original bill has been in works for 16 years. He explained the bill regulates and places government supervision on all medical equipment used in all government medical institutions. He noted that institution personnel who do not comply will be subject to 6 months to 3 years of jail time

The bill passed its second reading 17-0.

The bill passed its third reading 22-0.

Amendment to the Terms of Probation Bill

Law, Justice and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained the amendment would update the appeals committee makeup for life sentence security prisoners to match the committee for non-security prisoners.

The bill passed its second reading 16-0.

The bill passed its third reading 19-0.

Amendment to the Money Laundering Prohibition Bill

Law, Justice and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem explained the amendment would update Israel’s money laundering regulations to meet recently signed international agreements on the subject.

The bill passed its second reading 12-0.

The bill passed its third reading 15-0.

Amendment to the Lending Textbooks Bill

Education, Culture and Sport Committee Chairman Miller (Y.B.) explained the amendment would require principals to conduct a vote of school children’s parents on joining the lending textbooks program. He said that if 60% of parents want to join the program, the principal will be forced to join it.

The bill passed its second reading 17-0.

The bill passed its third reading 20-0.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) thanked Miller for passing the bill during the last week of Knesset as fast as possible.

Amendment to the Antitrust Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained the amendment would increase the authority of the government’s antitrust bodies in order to increase the enforcement of existing laws.

The bill passed its second reading 15-0.

The bill passed its third reading 15-0.

Amendment to the Prison Ordinance Bill

Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Cohen (Shas) explained the amendment regulates the rights of prisoners. He said this bill costs a lot of money and significantly raises prisoners’ quality of life both during their stay in jail and their rehabilitation afterwards. He said that this is an historic day that will be remembered as a holiday for prisoners today and for the years to come.

The bill passed its second reading 16-0.

The bill passed its third reading 14-0.

MK Khenin (Hadash) thanked Cohen for helping him reform the way the government views prisoners. He also thanked a long list of government workers who helped him advance and pass this bill. He said this bill will be remembered as the most democratic, revolutionary and progressive bill that the 18th Knesset has passed. He expressed his support for the security prisoners that are hunger striking.

Amendment to the Checks without Cover Bill

Law, Justice and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem explained the amendment would require the bank to provide someone joining an existing bank account all of the information about the account. He said this way people won’t fall victim to business scams or be tricked by loved ones.

The bill passed its second reading 10-0.

The bill passed its third reading 9-0.

MK Shemtov (Y.B.) thanked Rotem for passing the bill before early elections. She thanked other Yisrael Beitenu MKs for helping her advance the bill.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

MK Eldad explained the amendment would cut social security payments in half to terrorists who were sentenced to ten years or more and will also harm their families’ rights to inheritance of that money.

MK Rotem said that although the 50% reduction is positive, Israel remains a sucker because they will still be giving the terrorists the other 50%.

The bill passed its second reading 13-0.

The bill passed its third reading 10-0.

Amendment to the Nazi Persecution and Nazi War Invalids Bill

Appropriations Committee Chairman Gafni (U.T.J.) said this bill was submitted in 1999 and has been delayed each year. He explained the bill would increase the Holocaust era handicap pensions. He said 23,219 people would receive the increase, and the cost will stand at 100 million shekels annually. He noted that the gradual payment increases are based on criteria that will give some people more and some less.

MK Solodkin (Kadima) said that she has proposed many bills in the last three years on this subject and was told each time that there was no money. She thanked the government for wising up at the last minute and giving 100 million shekels to a just cause.

MK Shemtov thanked Gafni for making sure that there will be Russian war veterans enjoying some of the 100 million shekels as well.

The bill passed its second reading 31-0.

The bill passed its third reading 28-0.

Amendment to the Mandatory Tenders Bill

Law, Justice and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem explained the amendment would ensure that government tenders do not discriminate against employees over the age of 40.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) asked the Knesset approve his ministry’s objection.

The bill’s paragraphs passed their second readings 22-0, 12-4, 24-0 and 19-0.

The Finance Minister’s objection was approved 18-5.

The bill passed its third reading 18-0.

MK Bielski (Kadima) thanked the Knesset for approving the bill that will help older people overcome discrimination and get jobs.

Amendment to the Mines Ordinance Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama announced that he can confirm the hallway chatter and rumors. He said that a national unity government with Kadima is imminent and a Likud faction meeting in 20 minutes should confirm the rumors. He explained that the bill will increase the punishment of those who mine materials illegally to five years in jail and a fine of close to one million shekels.

The bill’s paragraphs passed their second readings 11-0, 10-1 and 12-0.

The bill passed its third reading 10-0.

MK Ariel (N.U.) thanked Shama for passing the bill swiftly and the Knesset for approving his bill.

Amendment to the Aviation Services Bill

Speaker Rivlin announced that the Knesset will continue to discuss the bills on the agenda, despite the rumors of a new national unity government. Rivlin said that if the Knesset’s parties ask him to close the session without passing all 45 bills on the agenda, he will allow it.

Finance Committee Chairman Shama explained the amendment would grant compensation and assistance for flight cancellation or modification of the terms. He said that if a ticket is cancelled or delayed by an airline the airline should compensate the customer. He said that this bill would meet the European standards for flight cancellation compensation. He said this consumer protection bill is very important. He thanked and praised MK Tibi.

The bill’s paragraphs passed their second readings 16-0, 18-0, 19-0 and 19-0.

MK Tibi’s objection was accepted 15-0.

Justice Minister Neeman’s objection was defeated 1-18.

The bill passed its third reading 19-0.

Chairman Shama said this was the most complicated bill that his committee has discussed and it took hundreds of hours to prepare.

Speaker Rivlin told Coalition Chairman Elkin (Likud) and the opposition MKs that he cannot close the Knesset session unless he receives a request to do so. He stressed that he had not yet been informed if early elections had been cancelled and there still had not been any public statement.

MK Tibi (R.T.) said that he is very emotional and pleased to have this bill become law. He said that although he has ideological differences with Shama he views him as a man of professional integrity. He noted the three and a half years of discussions, including a twelve hour discussion chaired by Shama. He slammed the previous Finance Chairman Akunis for holding up the bill for political reasons. He expressed his pride in the bill.

Speaker Rivlin praised Tibi for the bill.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Gafni asked Speaker Rivlin if the rest of the Knesset’s agenda could be pushed off to the next day because of the late hour. He noted that the apparent unprecedented political trick could be discussed the next day as well, but the rush to finish the long agenda before the Knesset dissolves itself is pointless.

Speaker Rivlin said the drama that is unfolding is not official and there is still a chance it will fall apart before anything is announced or signed. He noted that the bill calling for early elections had been approved in the committee without any objections for its second and third readings. He said that the agenda’s important bills should be pushed through just in case early elections are called at the last minute.

Amendment to the Israel Defense Forces Pensions Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) explained the amendment would increase the pensions for the military. He said that there will be retroactive aspects of the bill as far back as 2008, and families of deceased veterans will receive the retroactive benefits.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) praised the bill. He called for increasing military benefits and turning the military into a volunteer army, freeing the military from taking every citizen. He slammed journalist Yoram London for his statement that Israel should reduce the ultra-orthodox Jewish population in Israel. He asked what would have happened in Europe if someone said that against the Muslim population. He slammed Kadima for joining the government in order to continue incitement against the ultra-orthodox.

MK Regev (Likud) supported the bill and called it justice for the 40,000 soldier families. She said that Eichler’s speech has nothing to do with this bill. She stressed the importance of ultra-orthodox and non-Jews serving the country.

The bill passed its first reading 18-0 and was sent to the Welfare Committee.

Speaker Rivlin announced that the government and the coalition have agreed to pull most of the bills left on the day’s agenda. He said the MKs who chose not to pull their bills will be given the chance to present it to the plenum for a vote. He said that the Knesset’s early election bill was sent back for a revision, and since there is no date dictated on when to discuss the bill, he will end the session after the bills left on the agenda are finished being presented.

Amendment to the Banking Bill

MK Eichler announced the amendment is a customer service bill that forces the bank to send a bank fee transaction list to each customer every six months. He added that the bill will prohibit writing bank fees in smaller font than the rest of the piece of paper.

The bill passed its second reading 17-0.

The bill passed its third reading 16-0.

Amendment to the Israel Lands Authority Bill

MK Eichler explained the amendment will increase the transparency of the authority by requiring them to upload decisions to their official internet page.

The bill passed its second reading 15-0.

The bill passed its third reading 15-0.

MK Khenin thanked the Knesset for approving another one of his self-described revolutionary bills. He noted that 99% of the authority’s decisions have not been publicized anywhere.

Speaker Rivlin announced that the rest of the bills had been withdrawn. He said that the Knesset will reconvene in 13 hours at 4 PM.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 7, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02187112.doc

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 3: Election Fever

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 3 Comments

The Knesset’s Wednesday session lasted about seven hours. Fourteen bills were discussed. One bill became law after passing its third reading, and two bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings. One bill was turned into a motion, two bills were not brought to a vote in order to avoid defeat and eight bills were defeated. The day was filled with election fever as the opposition proposed bills with little chance of advancing.

 

Non-Bills Summary

 

  • Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) and Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.
  • Speaker Rivlin greeted the visiting European Parliament members.
  • Five motions were discussed on the hot news issues of the week. Three were sent to committee by the votes of 10-2, 9-0 and 6-1. The other two motions were defeated 6-6 and 2-3.

 

Bills Summary

 

Amendment to the Defamation Bill

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) slammed Likud and Liberman for trying to call early elections and their attempts to raise the threshold. He explained his amendment would add belonging to a social group under the Defamation Bill.  Eichler pulled the bill before voting in order to avoid defeat.

Amendment to the Consumer Protection Bill

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) explained his amendment would prohibit conditional commitment transactions for a fixed period of time. He said that this bill targets gym memberships that severely harm consumer protection. He told the gyms that this bill would force them to give monthly rates as opposed to yearly rates and will increase competition.

Minister Nahari (Shas) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 23-0 and was sent to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee.

Amendment to the Planning and Building Bill

MK Michaeli (Shas) explained his amendment would prohibit the demolition or the change of a structure of religious importance. He stressed the importance of prohibiting the rezoning of religious buildings such as synagogues to maintain their holiness. He talked about a synagogue in Tel Aviv that was built in 1920 and a person who recently bought it and knocked it down to build high-rise residential buildings. He asked how the Jewish state could allow Jewish structures to be demolished under Israeli law.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) expressed government support for what he called a very important bill that would match Israeli law with most western countries. He warned that those who vote against this bill would be voting against religious rights.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) opposed the bill and charged this is a bill that will give Shas the power to prevent the destruction of any building they decide is a religious building. He called this bill extortion and illogical. He suggested this bill would also apply to Judea and Samaria. He stated the current law must be upheld.

 

MK Michaeli said election fever has turned the most logical bills into political ammunition. He stressed that this bill won’t be applied to Judea and Samaria. He noted this bill will protect churches and mosques as well and he couldn’t understand how this is Shas extortion.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 49-13 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Two Amendments to the Social Security Bill

MK Herzog (Labor) explained his amendment would give those sexually assaulted at work social security payment benefits equal to those injured at work. He said that sexual assault is equal to if not worse than physical injuries and women should receive the same benefits.

MK Gal-On (Meretz) explained her similar amendment would accomplish the same thing. She said that women don’t come forward about sexual assault because they don’t want to lose their job and this bill will encourage them to do so.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) said that those who are sexually assaulted at work should be protected and the law does protect them as it does all sexually assaulted women. He stated that those physically injured during their course of employment are entitled to different benefits and there is no reason to mix the two. He said that the government opposes the bill because this is something that already exists, and this bill is purely politically motivated.

MK Gal-On said that these bills are meant to increase the money given to sexually assaulted women in order to encourage them to report the incident to the proper authorities.

The first bill was defeated 21-31.

The second bill was defeated 19-31.

Two Amendments to the Value Added Tax Bill

MK Molla (Kadima) said there are many poor people in Israel, and it is the government’s responsibility to take care of them. He explained his amendment would place a zero rate tax on basic food products. He said he feels Israel needs to become a welfare state and that he isn’t embarrassed by that view. He stated that he isn’t a communist, but he isn’t a capitalist either.

MK Horowitz said that indirect taxes are bad and his party is against all of them, including VAT. He said indirect taxes are discriminatory against the poor and help the rich. He said that as a proud socialist he feels that tax exemptions on basic food items are the government’s responsibility, as is strong government supervision. He said the disparity between the high cost of living and the low salaries is unbearable. He slammed the capitalistic economic policy of the government.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) said that indirect taxes like the VAT are an equal tax on both the rich and the poor. He said that all items have a VAT, and the beginning of VAT exemptions will open the floodgates, crashing the VAT system. He warned that this bill would cost 6 billion shekels each year, and the government opposes the bills for this reason.

MK Molla said that he isn’t looking to exempt everything from VAT but insisted that many items should be exempt.

The first bill was defeated 17-32.

The second bill was defeated 17-32.

Amendment to the Real Estate Tax Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) said there are 146,000 empty “ghost” apartments in Israel that are owned by foreigners who don’t live in them. He said that his bill will encourage them to sell these apartments. He explained his amendment would eliminate the exemption from capital gains tax for nonresidents. He said that by doing this the apartments will no longer be a sound financial investment and they will sell their assets. He said there are 20,000 empty apartments in Tel Aviv, 14,000 in Haifa, 10,000 in Jerusalem, 1,720 in Be’er Sheva, 1,423 in Petah Tikva, 1,114  in Holon, 1,122 in Ramat Gan, 1,070 in Ashkelon, 958 in Tiberias and 902 Rishon Le’Tzion. He noted that in England the government takes away foreigners’ homes in London and sells them off. He noted this bill will increase taxes on foreigners by 3 billion shekels annually, and that money will be invested domestically. He slammed the government for opposing a bill that would lower prices in the housing market.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen praised this bill as another financially smart Sheetrit bill from a previous Finance Minister. He said the government opposes the bill because it will cause Israel to violate certain signed international treaties and because it lacks exemptions for nonresidents who plan to immigrate to Israel in the future. He suggested turning the bill into a motion in order to discuss the idea more and to find loopholes that will provide a well-rounded solution.

MK Sheetrit thanked Cohen for supporting his bill and expressed understanding that Cohen is just the messenger. He insisted his bill is a quick solution that will lower the housing prices. He noted that the foreigners already have a VAT tax exemption and this real estate tax exemption is really just too much.

The bill was defeated 10-27.

MK Tirosh (Kadima) announced she voted twice by mistake (her place and MK Shai). Deputy Speaker Vaknin announced it was a mistake for the protocol.

Amendment to the Nazi Persecution Bill

MK Bielski (Kadima) explained his amendment would create a national authority to serve as a one stop shop for Holocaust survivors to ease the bureaucracy. He noted that 80 MKs co-sponsored his bill. He said that asking elderly Holocaust survivors to run from one government ministry office to another is unacceptable. He said that by opposing the bill the government is saying that they don’t care about fighting for Holocaust survivor rights.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen said that all 120 MKs stand in unity for the Holocaust survivors and dismissed Bielski’s statements. He pointed out that Prime Minister Netanyahu founded a special office in the Prime Minister Office for Holocaust survivors that is led by Deputy Minister Nass (Likud). He said that office serves the Holocaust survivors very well and accomplishes much of what is asked from this bill. He went on to list the government accomplishments from that office for his final ten minutes.

MK Bielski charged the bill is being dropped because of politics. He screamed at Cohen and the government for three minutes.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen said he was offended by Bielski’s words because he agrees with the ideas but rejects that the government is failing the survivors.

Minister Peled (Likud) got up and asked, as a Holocaust survivor, if the vote on the bill could be delayed. Bielski agreed.

Profiler Teacher in Education System Bill

MK Tirosh (Kadima) explained her original bill would regulate the rights of the ten to fifteen percent of students with learning disabilities. She said that currently the government is not involved and external tests determine which rights will be given to the students. She charged that certain people buy learning disability rights. She stated her bill would nationalize the learning disability tests and recommendations and prevent misuse of the system. She said that her system is not just about punishment and those who cannot afford to buy rights would get them under her system. She said the 4,000 schools can share resources, and this does not have to cost a lot of money.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) said that Tirosh touched on a sensitive subject and he agrees with her diagnosis of the problem but not her solution. He added that he personally agreed with the bill but the government requested two months to examine the 400 million shekel budget of the bill. He noted that the only reason the government is asking the Knesset to defeat the bill is because Tirosh chose not to wait the two months. He said that his ministry’s budget will be 5 to 6 billion shekels, and it takes time to reduce the number by 400 million. He went on to the topic of politics and slammed the opposition for trying to delay early elections. He said that Israel’s opposition will be the only opposition to vote against early elections.

MK Tirosh said that arrogance is a difficult thing. She slammed the government for deciding to call early elections and force the public to vote when they don’t want to.

Deputy Speaker Vaknin (Shas) said that the Knesset should conduct a secret vote on early elections. He said the results would be 2-118 with Netanyahu and Liberman as the only two who would vote for.

The bill was defeated 6-21.

Amendment to the Public Housing Tenant Rights Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained the amendment would increase the number of single parent immigrant families eligible for public housing by having criteria that would be easier to attain.

Housing Minister Atias (Shas) said that Solodkin’s bill is discriminatory against Israelis. He said that immigrants aren’t immigrants forever, and he is against raising the ten year ceiling. He said that all citizens on the public housing waiting list starting next week will get NIS 3,000 a month towards rent without giving up their position in line. He said that his measure is social justice, and Solodkin’s bill is not.

MK Solodkin slammed Atias, pointing out that 3,000 people waiting in line with his ministry will get NIS 3,000, but the 50,000 people waiting on the Immigrant Ministry list will not. She said that she is done with the bill and will tell the immigrants to “Supreme Court” the government in order to get the job done.

The bill was defeated 6-14.

Motion/Amendment to the Arrangements Bill

MK Swaid (Hadash) explained his amendment would change the calculations for property tax reductions for tuitions in the municipalities. He said the change would increase city tax reductions for families that house their university students at home. He stated this bill would assist poor families that send their children to university. He agreed to turn the bill into a motion to avoid defeat.

The motion passed 6-0 and was sent to the Appropriations Committee.

Amendment to the Law and Administration Ordinance Bill

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) said that early elections are a waste of money and pointed out the country sent the MKs to the Knesset for at least 4 years. He stated even though he doesn’t like this government, the people want it to last longer. He noted the agreement with Jewish Home and the National Religious Party that would have them running with National Union in the next elections. He expressed confidence that a joint list will lead to a double digit showing in elections and the party will have a lot of influence in the next government. He went on to discuss his nationalist bill that he said will be defeated by the nationalist parties for a third time this term. He said this bill put in place Israeli law in the cities, Regional Councils and Local Councils of Judea and Samaria. He listed his bill’s 40 co-sponsors from Likud, Yisrael Beitenu and other parties. He said that 350,000 Jews live in Judea and Samaria under military rule. He went on to slam Prime Minister Netanyahu’s position on a Palestinian state as well as the building freeze in Judea and Samaria. He read out the names of the Likud Mayors in Judea and Samaria and their cities’ populations and told them to call their Likud MK friends to convince them to vote for this bill that will end their status as residents with full taxation without equal representation.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government opposition to the bill because it did not reach the Ministerial Committee of Legislative Affairs.

MK Katzeleh said it was not even worth responding to Neeman.

The bill was defeated 4-14.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Haim Katz (Likud) explained the amendment would change the regulations on provident funds (Kupot Gemel). He spent about twelve minutes explaining the incredibly long and financially complex bill.

The bill passed its second reading 13-0.

The bill passed its third reading 13-0.

 

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 2, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02072712.doc

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 2: Lending Textbooks Bill Advanced

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 1 Comment
May 4, 2012

The Knesset’s Tuesday session lasted about an hour and a half. The Lending Textbooks Bill was advanced after passing its first reading. Election fever was evident in the MKs’ speeches during the short day.

Non-Bills Summary

  • Speaker Rivlin greeted the Australian Senate President with a warm speech.
  • 15 MKs spoke during the one minute speech segment of the day. The main topics were early elections and Opposition Leader Livni’s resignation from Knesset.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Lending Textbooks Bill 

Minister Meridor (Likud) explained the amendment would allow each school to join the lending textbooks program after the principal holds a vote among the school children’s parents and 60% of the parents vote in favor. He said that hundreds of schools have already joined the program because the principals requested to be a part of it. He stressed the obligation on the principal to bring the matter to a parent vote will increase the number of schools enrolled in the program. He concluded that this program should be expanded.

MK Tirosh (Kadima) expressed support for Education Minister Sa’ar’s (Likud) policies over his last three years in his position on almost every issue. She said that she agreed with the intention of the bill but objected to the matter needing to go up to a vote. She announced that the program should be installed in every school outright.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) blasted the Knesset for having a light schedule and stressed the importance of finishing the Knesset’s important work before early elections are called. Speaker Rivlin agreed with Eichler. Eichler slammed Netanyahu and Liberman for calling early elections when the opposition doesn’t want them. He went on to praise the bill, while noting that the ultra-orthodox community has been lending books out to their neighbors for centuries. He finished by slamming the secular Israelis of northern Tel Aviv who are inciting against their ultra-orthodox neighbors in their local newspapers with anti-Semitic slander.

MK Zeev (Shas) slammed MK Wilf for inciting against the ultra-orthodox in the European Parliament. He also slammed the event that she held with the European Friends of Israel, in cooperation with Israel Project, where she invited them to a public conference she hosted on women’s rights in Israel. He accused her of inciting against the ultra-orthodox during that event. He said the true exclusion of women is in Kadima where they excluded a woman, Livni, and replaced her with a man, Mofaz.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) praised and supported the bill completely. He slammed the high price of textbooks and the publishers who raise the prices considerably every year. He said this bill is among the most important bills this Knesset can pass.

MK Wilf (Independence) supported the bill and stressed its importance. She recalled her short time in American public school and told her Knesset colleagues that is the model public school system. She said this program will become obsolete when everything is transferred to an electronic schoolbook system. She went on to slam Ze’ev for confronting her on the European Parliament issue on national television instead of a phone call. She defended the positions and views that she expressed there. She said that damage control was needed and that was what she did.

Minister Meridor said that the place of women in society says a lot about a democracy’s health and that equality is seen throughout Israeli society. He went on to stress the importance of the bill and asked the Knesset to vote in favor, even if it is just a step forward instead of solving the problem outright. He said electronic textbooks should be able to replace textbooks eventually.

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

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 1, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02029212.doc

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 1: Twelve Minute Session Following 39-Day Recess

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 4 Comments
May 3, 2012

The Knesset opened the summer session after a 39-day spring recess, excluding two special sessions. The session was twelve minutes, perhaps the shortest in Knesset history. The no confidence motions and most of the bills that were to be discussed were all withdrawn in order to allow the MKs to attend the funeral of Benzion Netanyahu.

 

Non-Bills Summary

  • Speaker Rivlin opened the summer session. He announced that the summer session, scheduled until July 25, will most likely be this government’s last and that the government will not survive until the next scheduled elections on October 22, 2013. He stated that he will send the Knesset back into recess the day the new election date becomes final. He went on to eulogize Professor Benzion Netanyahu, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s father, who had passed away earlier that day.
  • Justice, Law and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) asked the Knesset to approve his committee’s request to split a bill into two. The Knesset approved the request 12-0.

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

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/01998512.doc

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