Category: Daily Updates


Knesset Winter Session 2011/2012 Day 49: Busy Day as 13 Bills Passed or Advanced

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 3 Comments
March 1, 2012

The Knesset’s Monday session lasted close to six hours. 13 bills were discussed. Eight bills became law after passing their third readings, and five bills were advanced after passing their first readings. The weekly no-confidence motions were defeated. The bills covered a wide range of issues.

 

Non-Bills Summary

* Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The failure of the Netanyahu government in preparing for home front emergency’ was defeated 31-50 with 39 MKs not present.

* Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The government’s fiasco in dealing with poverty, deepening and widening gaps in Israeli society’ was defeated 34-50 with 36 MKs not present.

* Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘Muslim Waqf properties in Israel’ was defeated 11-58 with 8 MKs abstaining and 43 MKs not present.

* Funds Committee Chairman Gafni (U.T.J.) announced his committee’s decision to split a bill into two, which was approved 4-0.  He also announced his committee’s decision to correct a technical issue in an existing bill. It was approved 11-0 with one MK abstaining.

* Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) announced his committee’s decision to split a bill into two. It was approved 6-0.

* Religious Affairs Minister Margi (Shas) answered a query at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

 

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) explained the amendment would repeal the requirement that social security needs to pay in case of error within three years. He said the new amendment requires the social security office to pay up within a year of receiving all the necessary information from the person in question. He added there will be a 1% interest assessed for every month they are late with the payment.

The bill passed its second reading 46-0.

The bill passed its third reading 38-1.

Amendment to the Implementing an Economic Change in Fiscal Priorities in the 2012 Budget and to Finance Social Change Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) explained the amendment would postpone the increase in child allowance for families of two to four children that was supposed to take place in April 2012 for one year until April 2013. He explained the NIS 1.5 billion for the program will go towards the government’s plan to provide free nursery and pre-nursery for children three and older.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) slammed the priorities of Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Chuldai, who he said is spending his tax paying shekels on Sudanese illegal immigrants instead of funding the police force that fights them. He noted police reports on illegals’ crimes of sexual assault and harassment, rape, burglaries and murders. He slammed the Tel Aviv mayor’s plans to keep the Sudanese on the south side of the city and told the rich north-siders to stop their selective mercy for the illegals.

MK Molla (Kadima) slammed Ben Ari for spreading hatred towards the illegals. He got into a shouting match with Ben Ari. Deputy Speaker Edery (Kadima) called Ben Ari to order and threatened to throw him out. Molla went on to slam the government for not answering the social justice protesters.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) mocked the postponement of the seven shekel raise. He went on to praise Germany for their low rent, low prices in supermarkets and high salaries. He said that it makes sense for a lot of Israelis to move to Europe and have a better life than they can in Israel. He called on the Knesset to oppose the bill.

MK Whbee (Kadima) called on the MKs to oppose the bill. He went on to slam the ultra-orthodox students who entered a sacred Druze burial site with their shoes on and danced. He condemned the ultra-orthodox yeshiva students and said they did not act like religious people.

MK Sheetrit (Likud) said there was no purpose to the social justice movement because it failed. He said child allowances should be raised, not frozen. He said the top 10% of Israelis got a raise of 150% over the last decade and the average Israeli got a raise of 4%. He said the poor parents deserve a raise of 7 shekels. He questioned Shas’ motives for supporting this bill.

MK Zeev (Shas) said that saving families NIS 700 instead of giving them NIS 7 is very simple. He said parents prefer free school for 3 and 4 year olds instead of 7 shekels in child allowances. He said those who oppose the bill are cynics. He slammed Kadima for lowering the child allowances hundreds of shekels when they were in power. He slammed Yisrael Beitenu for trying to hurt the 60,000 families who don’t make a living and live off the government. He told the opposition not to preach unless they check their own house first.

MK Khenin (Hadash) said the bill is an embarrassment. He said the government has decided to move the money around as opposed to adding money to the budget. He said this isn’t a serious bill and shows another policy flaw with Israel’s settlement and warmongering system.

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) said the point of this bill is to allow the government to meet the recommendations of the Trachtenberg committee that cost a lot of money but is worth gold. He called on the opposition to praise the government for providing free education starting from age 3 and for making the school day longer in public schools. He said that overall the parents are getting a good deal. They are postponing a seven shekel raise for one year and saving money on education. He said that the government is not embarrassed; rather, they are proud. He noted that earlier in the term the government helped the poor by raising the minimum wage and increasing the child allowances. He praised Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) for his three reforms in higher education, high schools and a free public system from the age of 3. He said the ends justify the means. He concluded by defending his policy and his bill.

The bill passed its first reading 32-15 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill further.

Amendment to the Real Estate Tax Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen explained his amendment would change the court of appeals for cases of real estate capital gains and acquisition taxes. He said the change will prohibit non-judges from sitting on appeals for these cases. He noted there has been conflict of interest when certain lawyers are on the court of appeals.

MK Khenin said that he has spent two years discussing in committee the reform in planning and building. He blasted the way the committee meetings were held and its conclusions.

The bill passed its first reading 14-0 with one MK abstaining and was sent to the Funds Committee.

Amendment to the Companies Bill

Deputy Prime Minister Shalom explained the amendment would update public benefit foundation provisions regarding their executives. He said the bill will ensure transparency and create three funds that will help the public on a wide range of issues.

MK Zeev said that he agrees that most of fundraising should not be used on managers’ salaries. He said the provisions should allow the money to be spent on the day to day running of the companies.

MK El-Sana (R.T.) said the bill is bad because it doesn’t really bring any transparency to the companies. He slammed Israel for stealing Palestinian money and property. He said the country isn’t a democracy.

The bill passed its first reading 15-1 with 2 MKs abstaining and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Dividing Pension Savings between a Separated Couple Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen said the bill is very complicated and should be discussed in committee. He said solutions for dividing pension savings between a couple that separate are important and should be discussed in committee.

MK Gal-On (Meretz) thanked the government for the bill and expressed her support. She said it is a social justice bill that takes a man’s pension and splits it to allow the woman to take a big share. She stated the bill will help hundreds of thousands of women. She said it is unacceptable that everything can be split into two during a divorce except for the pension and this bill fixes the problem. She said new wives were benefiting from what should have gone towards the previous wife.

MK Herzog (Labor) praised the bill, which he said will bring social justice to women.

MK Zeev said this bill is too far reaching and allows separated couples to have the same rights as divorced couples. He also said this bill encourages divorce and he can’t vote for it.

The bill passed its first reading 16-0 with one MK abstaining and was sent to the Welfare Committee.

Amendment to the Municipal Taxes and Government Taxes Ordinance Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the bill would present city tax exemptions to the 120 factories that employ disabled and mentally challenged people. He said it is our moral responsibility to help these factories. He went on to thank the Knesset for agreeing to support his bill.

The bill passed its second reading 11-0.

The bill passed its third reading 11-0.

Amendment to the Women’s Labor Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz thanked MK Levi-Abekasis for her bill and went on to praise her for a few minutes. He explained the amendment would allow maternity leave to be extended for up to another ten weeks if the baby spends extensive time in the hospital after birth. He said women need to know the country supports them in their hardship. He concluded this bill will be retroactive.

The bill passed its second reading 13-0.

The bill passed its third reading 13-0.

MK Levi-Abekasis (Y.B.) thanked the Knesset for approving her bill. She thanked Chairman Katz and her fellow committee members. She also thanked her parliamentary assistants.

 

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the amendment would allow a veteran an extension of time to work in preferred work in cases where they serve reserve duty. He concluded that the bill will be retroactive.

The bill passed its second reading 12-0.

The bill passed its third reading 10-0.

MK Bibi (Kadima) thanked the Knesset for approving his bill. He said this is the least we can do. He slammed the previous policy of counting reserve duty days against the time a solider must meet in order to receive his preferred work fund. He thanked his assistants and his 41 volunteers.

Amendment to the Severance Pay Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the amendment would allow a full compensation package to a young person who takes a year off after high school and before army to volunteer in recognized places by the government when they quit their job in order to volunteer.

The bill passed its second reading 12-0.

The bill passed its third reading 11-0.

MK Shai (Kadima) thanked the Knesset for approving his bill. He said this bill brings social justice to Israel and supports a just cause. He said the youth who decide to give back to their communities must be supported. He thanked his assistants.

Prohibition on Receipt of Securities Processed Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz noted this is the 95th bill his committee has brought forth to be approved in their second and third readings. He explained the amendment would prohibit guarantees of securities. He stated there are conflict of interest issues in the receipts and guarantees and it must be abolished. He said it is a very complicated issue but there are no objections on the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 13-0.

The bill passed its third reading 13-0.

MK Khenin thanked the Knesset for approving his bill. He thanked Chairman Katz and thanked the Knesset for approving 95 great ideas from Katz’s committee. He said this is a bill to be proud of.

MK Yachimovich (Labor) thanked the Knesset for approving her bill. She said that she is waiting for the 100th committee bill. She said it took four years to pass this bill and now it is a reality.

Amendment to the Agency Contract Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) thanked MK Alex Miller for his bill and said he truly is Alexander the great. He explained the amendment would require commercial agents and suppliers to meet European standards. He said this bill will help Israeli companies trade with European companies and stay protected on both ends of the deal. He said the sides can sign contracts that would exempt them from certain parts of the bill. He noted the bill also deals with breaches of contract and compensation.

The bill passed its second reading 9-0.

The bill passed its third reading 9-0.

MK Miller (Y.B.) thanked the Knesset for approving his bill. He thanked Chairman Shama for pushing through an important bill that Chairman Akunis failed to pass. He said this bill brings order and protection to Israeli companies abroad. He thanked his staff for helping him with the bill.

Amendment to the Memorial Day in Israel Bill

Education, Culture and Sport Committee Chairman Miller (Y.B.) explained the amendment would prohibit collecting an entrance fee for Memorial Day services and events. He slammed those who tried to make money off the families of fallen heroes last year and told them this year it will be forbidden. He said the time has come to put an end to making money off mourning families. He noted that Matalon was once the chairman of handicapped soldiers and veterans.

The bill passed its second reading 10-0.

The bill passed its third reading 10-0.

MK Matalon (Y.B.) thanked the Knesset for approving his bill. He thanked Chairman Miller for pushing through this bill quickly and in time for this year’s Memorial Day. He said this is a Zionistic bill. He thanked his staff. He said no one will be able to take money from mourning families again.

Amendment to the Welfare Services Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained the amendment would change the composition of welfare appeal committees and the appeal process of their decisions. She explained the appeal committee will have three members: a social worker, a judge and a jurist. She said that 10,000 children were removed from their families over the last decade and a broken appeal process prevented families from getting their children back.

MK Ben Ari supported the bill. He went on to slam social workers for selectively choosing which people they give services to and which people don’t deserve
their services. He charged there are many fakers that get social workers and those who really need it, don’t get it. He blasted commercials that offer to tweak the system to give fakers additional money.

MK Zeev said he disagrees with the bill because it takes away one of the jurists and replaces it with a judge. He said additionally, there is no local authority representation in the committee. He slammed social workers for being too quick to take the children away from the parents. He also blasted decisions that prevent parents from seeing their children after they lose them. He also slammed the fines on parents who try to win their children back. He told the judges to show mercy every once in a while.

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

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s February 20, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/01097312.doc

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Knesset Winter Session 2011/2012 Day 48: Prostitutes, Pensions, TV and Shelters

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The Knesset’s Wednesday session lasted about seven hours. 16 bills were discussed. Five bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings, three were turned into motions, one was not voted on to avoid defeat and seven were defeated. The bills advanced prohibit a customer from purchasing prostitution services, extend the time seniors can take out their pensions tax-free, prohibit charging television owners who don’t have television channels the TV tax and a financial grant to women who leave shelters. The newest MK Shnaan was sworn in.

 

Non-Bills Summary

* Housing and Construction Minister Atias (Shas), Justice Minister Neeman and Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) answered urgent queries to open the session.

* Speaker Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Opposition Minister Livni gave warm speeches welcoming the President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipovic, to the Knesset.

* Speaker Rivlin swore in new MK Shachiv Shnaan (Independence), who replaced Home Front Defense Minister Vilnai (Independence) in the Knesset. Vilnai will keep his ministerial position until he is appointed Ambassador to China.

* Seven motions were discussed on a wide range of subjects. Four motions were sent to committee by the votes 8-0, 9-0, 3-0 and 4-0. Two motions were not voted on. A motion on Abu Mazen’s speech and Netanyahu’s response was defeated 6-6.

* Energy and Water Minister Landau (Y.B.) answered a query and Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) answered three queries.

Bills Summary

 

Amendment to the Prohibition of Prostitution and the Care and Treatment of the Community Bill

MK Zuaretz (Kadima) said that Israel has been a serial offender of sex trafficking and pimping. She said this has not helped Israel’s standing internationally when their human rights position is already in question. She said many female foreign workers from the far east and illegal immigrants from Africa are among the prostitution rings. She said the blue and white prostitution rings have 12 and 13 year olds among their ranks. She said it is the costumers and demand that keep these prostitution rings open. She said that is why she wrote her amendment that would prohibit costumers from paying for sex.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill. He said prostitution is immoral and the government supports the bill that would allow up to a six month prison sentence for any customer to pays for a prostitute.

MK Zuaretz promised this bill will help prostitutes.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 28-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill further.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

MK Haim Katz (Likud) explained his amendment would extend the period in which pensioners can take out their pension without paying additional fines.

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

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) objected to the bill. He said he agrees with Katz’s ideas but that he disagrees with the methodology. He called on going back to the pre 2008 methods which would save the pensioner a lot of money. He stressed there is no longer any reason to open a “Kupat Gemel” because it is no longer a sound financial stragedy.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 22-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill further.

Two Amendments to the New Shekel Currency Bill

MK Whbee (Kadima) explained his amendment would repeal the rounding of shekel amounts. He said that the poor people need every agura and are losing it every time they pay 1.99 or 2.99 etc. He said billions of shekels disappear a year and hurt the customers.

MK Eldad (N.U.) said his similar amendment would accomplish the same thing, allow the poor Israelis save every agura possible by prohibiting the rounding of shekel.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen expressed government opposition to both bills. He said that although citizens who pay in cash lose their agurot, those who pay with credit cards and checks don’t lose their agurot. He said allowing flexibility with the agurot helps the businesses and the government doesn’t want to change that. He charged government analysts thing both bills will lead to an increase of prices throughout the market.

MK Whbee charged the government is allowing businesses to steal money for the poor. He stressed the poor people don’t have credit cards and they can only pay in cash.

The first bill was defeated 19-33.

The second bill was defeated 19-32.

Amendment to the Absorption of Discharged Soldiers Bill

MK Whbee explained his amendment would require the government to fund veterans preparation courses for psychometric test. He said that veterans can’t afford the price of the preparation courses from the basic discharge package and need more help from the government. He said he would withdraw the bill if the stupid psychometric test are abolished, which he said isn’t a good measure of a students abilities. He said the veteran package is privately funded but managed by the government, so they can’t even pretend his bill is a strain of the state budget. He said it is the governments job to help veterans get to the state universities.

Energy and Water Minister Landau (Y.B.) expressed government opposition to the bill. He said that the government love veterans and just raised the exit package of veterans. He stated the soldiers are allowed to use that money towards courses for psychometric tests if they so choose.

MK Whbee said the government should be deciding what to do with private donors money and allowing his bill to pass.

The bill was defeated 19-32.

Amendment to the Consumer Protection Bill/Motion

MK Tirosh (Kadima) explained her amendment would change the rules and regulations for digital parking ticket services. She said they need to be upgraded to be customer friendly.

Industry and Trade Minister Simhon (Independence) expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that legislation isn’t the place to fix the issues Tirosh is bringing up.

MK Tirosh responded she is willing to withdraw her bill if Simhon agrees to fix the problem without legislation. She asked if she could turn the bill into a motion, so they could discuss the matter in committee. Simhon agreed.

The motion passed 47-1 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Sale of Apartments Bill

Justice Minister Neeman responded to MK Sheetrit’s bill that he proposed at an early date. He expressed opposition to the bill that would limit the cost of legal fees as a component of the price. He said a lawyer should be allowed to charge as much as they want for a service and the customer and market will decide if they want to pay that price.

MK Sheetrit reminded Minister Neeman that originally the government supported the bill. He said lawyers shouldn’t take 1.5% to 2% of the price of a house and called it a scandal. He slammed the Tourist Minister and MK Rotem (Y.B.) for convincing the government to overturn its original decision. He thanked Minister Peled (Likud) and Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) for appealing Rotem’s opposition. He slammed the coalition for opposing the bill because of one person’s objection.

The bill was defeated 21-27.

Amendment to the Securities Bill

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) responded to MK Sheetrit’s bill that he proposed at an early date. He expressed government opposition to the bill that would prohibit issuance of shares for debt. He said the bill would harm the economy by putting additional strain on the big businesses. He stated it is in the publics interest to forgive big businesses debt to the country because the companies usually rebound. He said the country should help these companies. He said new management shouldn’t be penalized for previous management’s failed decisions. He told Sheetrit not to be correct, but to be smart. He said this bill would create an atmosphere that would harm the economic system as we know it.

MK Sheetrit reminded that two weeks ago Prime Minister Netanyahu supported his bill. He charged that Steinitz didn’t read his bill because the scenarios he listed wouldn’t happen under his bill. He charged that the coalition members are afraid to pass this bill because they are planning on getting jobs in those big companies one day.

The bill was defeated 19-34.

Struggle against Poverty Day Bill/Motion

MK Ben Simon (Labor) explained his original bill would force the government to celebrate a day marking the struggle against poverty, as well as force the government to act on behalf of that day each year. He noted 485,000 families live under the poverty line in Israel and the government must do something about it.

Energy and Water Minister Landau asked Ben Simon to turn the bill into a motion in order to avoid its defeat. Ben Simon agreed.

The motion passed 21-0 and was sent to the Welfare Committee.

 

Amendment to the Planning and Building Bill

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) explained his amendment would place conditions for demolitions and prohibit them from 6 PM until 8 AM. He stated that his bill would apply to Arabs, Bedouins, Jews and settlers. He thanked MK Khenin (Hadash) for co-sponsoring the bill with him and said this proved both sides of the political spectrum supported the idea. He asked where the animal activists are and said it is too bad they care more about cows and chickens. He read off a government decision to prohibit milking a cow on the television show Big Brother because it might harm the cows daily routine. He slammed the government for deciding the cow’s routine is more important than the children who are thrown out of their beds in the middle of the night with no warning. He slammed Minister Eitan (Likud) for suggesting the bill won’t apply in Judea and Samaria. He said demolition can take place during the day and it isn’t proper for the government to give kids psychiatric scaring. He asked the leftist where they are and why they won’t at least save the Arabs homes.

Minister Nahari (Shas) expressed government opposition to the bill and said it wouldn’t apply to Judea and Samaria. He said there is no difference between demolishing a house in the day or the middle of the night.

MK Katzeleh said Prime Minister Netanyahu must feel that he will be Prime Minister for the next 18 years, because opposing such a bill will hurt him politically on the left and on the right. He slammed Kadima for leaving the room because they can’t vote for a National Union bill but can’t vote against this bill.

The bill was defeated 9-21.

Amendment to the Planning and Building Bill

MK Zoabi (Balad) said it is illegal to demolish any house and there is no such thing as an illegal house. She spent ten minutes slamming the government for their policy of destroying houses. She explained her amendment would only allow a demolition if a social worker report allows it.

Minister Nahari expressed government opposition to the bill. He slammed parents for keeping their children at home when the government comes to throw them out. He said the parents are guilty for all scars their children receive.

The bill was defeated 6-25.

Amendment to the Housing Loans Bill/Motion

MK Naffaa (Balad) explained his amendment would allow someone who is eligible to one loan to take an additional loan at the same rate. He added the loan repayment participation would be at a lower interest rate and couldn’t exceed 3%. He noted that his bill was very similar to Deputy Speaker Vaknin’s (Shas) bill that is buried in committee.

Housing and Construction Minister Atias (Shas) charged Naffaa’s bill doesn’t accomplish what the purpose of his bill wishes and therefore the government is against it. He said that his ministry chose 28 towns and whoever wishes to build in those towns will receive a grant between 100,000 to 120,000 NIS. He suggested turning the bill into a motion and Naffaa agreed.

The motion passed 23-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

MK Hermesh (Kadima) slammed the government for allowing a select few profit for Israel’s economic growth at the expense of the majority. He explained his amendment would prohibit public companies from paying salaries of over 250,000 NIS a month from taxpayers money. He said anyone who makes over three million shekels a year shouldn’t receive that money from the tax payers. He agreed to postpone the vote on his bill in order to enlist government support.

Amendment to the Broadcasting Authority Bill

MK Hermesh explained his amendment would grant an exemption on television tax fees for TVs that do not get their TV signals. He said some people buy televisions to use them for purposes other then watching broadcast TV. He said that because television can only pick up broadcasts with a digital recorder, those who don’t own a digital shouldn’t have to pay TV tax.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 7-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Two Amendments to the Women Living in Battered Women Shelters Benefits Bill

MK Gal-On (Meretz) explained her amendment would present a financial grant for the first thirty days after a woman leaves a shelter to assist her in the adjustment period. She said this bill will help these women pay for basic things and prevent them from going back to their horrific husbands. She said the grant is 8,000 shekel and 1,000 shekel for each additional child, although from the fourth child there is no additional payment. She said the cost of the bill is less than four million shekel since there are only 800 women in 13 shelters. She noted 748 of those women have a child or more.

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained his similar amendment would accomplish the same thing. He said the shelters are important, but the day after is just as important.

Energy and Water Minister Landau (Y.B.) expressed government support to both bills. He said the government will agree to pay up to three million shekel for the program.

The first bill passed its preliminary reading 7-0 and was sent to the Women’s Rights Committee.

The second bill passed its preliminary reading 8-0 and was sent to the Women’s Rights Committee.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s February 15, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/01024112.doc

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Knesset Winter Session 2011/2012 Day 47: Struggle against Poverty Day

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 2 Comments
February 29, 2012

The Knesset’s Tuesday session lasted about three hours. No bills were discussed. A motion on the Struggle against Poverty Day was the highlight of the day. Changes to the Knesset protocol were passed with complete agreement among the parties.

 

Non-Bills Summary

* 16 MKs gave speeches during the one minute speech segment that opened the session.

* A motion on the Struggle against Poverty Day was discussed by Speaker Rivlin, Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) and 12 MKs.

* House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced cosmetic and technical changes to the Knesset protocol. The changes were approved 8-0.

* House Committee Chairman Levin announced which disputed bills would be discussed in which committees.

* Environment Minister Erdan answered two queries at the end of the session.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s February 14, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/00971112.doc

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Knesset Winter Session 2011/2012 Day 46: Jewish Tourist? Five Years Free of Interior Ministry Visits

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 1 Comment

The Knesset’s Monday session lasted about four hours. Four bills were discussed. One bill became law after passing its third reading and three bills were advanced after passing their first readings. The highlighted bill of the day was one that would allow Jewish tourists to stay in Israel for up to five years without having to visit the Interior Ministry (Misrad HaPanim). Other bills dealt with construction waste pollution, government repo men and sports labor unions.

 

Non-Bills Summary

* Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu’s government deepens the social gaps and continues to hurt the middle class and the disadvantaged’ was defeated 33-43 with 44 MKs not present.

* Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The government’s impotence in the political, social and economic sectors’ was defeated 32-45 with 43 MKs not present.

* Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘War threats from government ministers’ was defeated 11-46-1 with 62 MKs not present.

* House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced which disputed motions would be discussed in which committees.

* A motion on ‘Local Government Day’ was discussed by Speaker Rivlin, Hasbara Minister Edelstein (Likud) and five MKs.

 

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Sports Bill

Education, Culture and Sport Committee Chairman Miller (Y.B.) explained the amendment would update the labor laws in the Israeli sport labor groups effective June 30, 2012.

The bill passed its second reading 25-0 with one MK abstaining.

The bill passed its third reading 24-0 with one MK abstaining.

Amendment to the Repo Bill

Hasbara Minister Edelstein (Likud) explained the amendment would allow government repo men to finish cases they started for the three months following their retirement. He said this amendment will also allow repo men to finish cases that previous repo men already started, improving the current situation that forces them to start over.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) said the government should do more for the Arab community in term of police protection of law and order. He wondered what is being done with the billions of shekels going towards their communities. He charged opposition parties are securing more funds for their communities than the coalition parties. He slammed Opposition Leader Livni for saying the ultra-orthodox don’t contribute to the country in any way and are a burden to society.

The bill passed its first reading 15-0 and was sent to the Law Committee.

Amendment to the Maintenance and Cleanliness Bill

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) explained the amendment would prevent construction waste in public areas by transferring the removal responsibility to the local authorities. He said seven and a half million tons of construction waste is created every year. He revealed that five million tons of waste goes missing and ends up in public areas. He went on to slam those that harm the environment by dumping in open green areas.

MK Eichler slammed the government for choosing to spend billions of shekels on the Dead Sea instead of on poor hungry children. He said he can’t believe the country anymore when they say they don’t have money. He said the priorities in this country are messed up. He went on to slam environmentalists who are driving up the prices of gasoline with their demands for cleaner fuel.

MK Khenin (Hadash) praised the bill. He said the polluting companies should be the ones to pay for cleaning up their waste and hopes the local authorities fine them heavily if they keep polluting. He disagreed with the exemption from the bill given to the defense establishment and hoped to change this exemption in the committee meetings. He said this should be a country that has an army and not an army that has a country.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) said he was troubled with the number of crimes within the Arab community, mostly crimes of robberies and murders. He added that issues of tax evasion are also very troubling in that sector. He said in society it is important to give, not just take.

MK Zeev (Shas) went on to attack MK Tibi (R.T.) for getting special treatment from Prime Minister Netanyahu and senior ministers. He said there is a lot of garbage in Israel and forcing the local authority to pay for it is wrong. He warned local taxes will be raised to pay for serial polluting.

Environment Minister Erdan told MK Zeev to read the bill. He said this bill will not cost the tax payers any money and won’t lead to an increase in taxes. He said the local authority and the construction company will come to an agreement on how much the cost of removal will be according to a price per ton arrangement.

The bill passed its first reading 19-0 and was sent to the Environment Committee.

Amendment to the Entry into Israel Bill

MK Michaeli (Shas) explained the amendment would allow Jewish tourists who are eligible for the right to return to have their tourist visa extended for up to five years. He said the burden of having our Jewish brothers wait in line several times a year in the interior ministry office will be over once this very just bill is passed.

MK Ben Ari eulogized a retired general who had passed away the day before. He said that many one-year American Jews decide against immigration to Israel because of the interior ministry’s policy against them. He expressed hope this bill will give the youth courage to stay in Israel and not go back to their parents in America. He noted every year 150,000 Jews marry non-Jews and are lost. He stated this bill will bring the children, who will eventually bring their parents.

MK Zeev said this important Shas bill will help thousands of Jews. He said in the Mir Yeshiva alone there are 3,000 Americans. He said the time has come to stop scaring off Jews from Israel. He said we shouldn’t force people to be Israelis; rather, they should be given the chance to become Israeli according to their own timetable.

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

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s February 13, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/00942612.doc

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Knesset Winter Session 2011/2012 Day 45: Knesset’s Birthday

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 1 Comment
February 26, 2012

The Knesset’s Wednesday session had no bills, queries or motions. It was a festive plenary session that presented an excuse for Israel’s top figures to give speeches on their vision of the Knesset.

Non-Bills Summary

* Speaker Rivlin, President Peres, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Livni gave speeches marking the Knesset’s 63rd birthday on Tu B’Shvat.

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

Official protocol in Hebrew: There was no official protocol for this date.

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