Jeremy's Knesset Insider

The Knesset’s Tuesday session lasted about four hours. Five bills were advanced after passing their first readings. The relatively busy Tuesday session included legislation on cell phone cancellation fines, whistleblowers’ espionage, discrimination of pregnant woman and reserve soldiers in the work place, standardized pharmacy exams, and maternity benefits in cases of long infant hospital stays. A motion honoring the deaf was also discussed.

Non-Bills Summary

* 21 MKs spoke during the one minute speech segment that opened the day. The main topic was the Grunis Bill that passed the previous night. Bureaucracy Minister Eitan (Likud) responded to some of the speeches.

* A motion on International Listening Day was discussed by six MKs and Minister Eitan. The motion was not voted on.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained his amendment would prohibit cell phone companies from charging cancellation fines. He said that fines are for criminals, not for consumers who choose to move to a better service. He said that a previous amendment outlawed the cancellation fines for cable and television and this is the next step. He said this amendment will create a free market for consumers and allow them to change from company to company at their leisure. He said that the cell phone companies have already tried to find a loophole by transferring the cancellation fees to the phone device and not the service. He assured the cell phone companies that he will close that loophole before the second reading of the bill. He called the cell phone companies monsters and told them that the celebration is over.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) noted other loopholes that should be closed in committee meetings. He told the story of Max Noradu, who joined the Zionist movement after an encounter with an ultra-orthodox child in Paris.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) supported the important bill. He said that consumers should understand that there is a lot of garbage for sale and they should stop buying it.

MK Majadele (Labor) said that this bill comes 3-4 years too late. He called on the MKs to solve problems when they occur, not after years of complaining.

MK Zeev (Shas) said that three year contracts for cell phone devices are ridiculous and that some marriages don’t last that long. He called on the cell phone companies to wake up and change their ways before additional legislation is targeted at them.

MK Tibi (R.T.) supported Shama’s bill and blasted the cell phone companies.

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

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

MK Schneller (Kadima) explained his amendment would change provisions regarding espionage for those who whistleblow instead of handing information to enemies. He said the amendment creates a new provision that gives a whistleblower to a newspaper a shorter sentence than those who are labeled enemies of the state. He agreed with the label of the “Anat Kam Bill” since this bill deals with situations like hers.

MK Eichler listed a number of attacks on ultra-orthodox Jews by secular Jews. He slammed the press for their incitement against the community he represents. He called on the press to stop buying into the Reform Judaism garbage. He slammed the attempted delegitimizing of the ultra-orthodox.

MK Ariel (N.U.) agreed with Eichler that there is incitement from the press against the ultra-orthodox. He supported the Penal Code amendment. He went on to slam the arrest of six settlers for espionage because they tried to prevent the dismantling of an outpost through a phone call. Ariel confessed that he is a spy doing the same exact thing and said he would lift his immunity in order to stand trial.

MK Ben Ari agreed with Eichler and Ariel that there is incitement from the press against the ultra-orthodox. He slammed the arrest of the six setters and also revealed that he makes the same phone calls and sends text messages. He said that apparently freedom of expression is not given to settlers.

MK Zeev supported the bill and said if this bill had been passed earlier it would have put Anat Kam away for many more years. He charged that military whistleblowers hate the country and should be sent to jail for a long time. He suggested jailing the journalists who publish confidential documents as well.

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

Amendment to the Employment Services Bill

MK Shai (Kadima) explained the amendment would extend the prohibition of discrimination to pregnant women, reserve soldiers and workers with related issues.

MK Eichler said he supported the bill but slammed Shai for leaving out discrimination of ultra-orthodox Jews. He explained that he is for a free press but he is against a free press that misuses that power to incite against minorities. He recalled his background as a journalist and stressed he never incited against the secular population. He slammed Professor Trachtenberg for inciting against the ultra-orthodox.

MK Ariel said it is a worthy bill and he will support it. He went on to criticize the government for not doing enough for the disengagement’s victims who stand at an alarming 20% unemployment. He asked the MKs to come up with solutions for these people.

MK Ben Ari slammed the academia and Supreme Court who discriminate against anyone who isn’t a Tel Aviv Ashkenazi elitist, calling them aristocrats. He asked how 210 of the 220 professors in academia are Ashkenazi Jews or Arabs. He added that he was one of eleven Sephardi Jew professors before entering the Knesset. He said that there are a lot of companies that discriminate against those who can’t work on the Sabbath.

MK Whbee (Kadima) supported the bill. He went on to discuss the poor public transportation system in the Galil Druze villages and how the Druze are discriminated against by potential employers.

MK Zeev said that many people are fired every year because they refuse to work on the Sabbath. He called on Shai to add religious Jews to his bill.

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

Amendment to the Pharmacist Ordinance Bill

MK Eldad (N.U.) slammed the arrest of the six settlers. He explained the amendment would force Israeli pharmacists to take the pharmacy licensing examination that is required from those who don’t learn in Israeli schools. He said that all Israeli pharmacists should take the standardized test and it is unacceptable that only certain pharmacists need to.

The bill passed its first reading 7-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendment to the Employment of Women Bill

MK Levi-Abekasis (Y.B.) charged that her bills are always at the end of the night because someone thinks that it will help the Knesset channel ratings. She explained the amendment would extend the allowed maternity leave for up to three months in the event of hospitalization of a newborn. She said this is an important bill and she is disappointed that no other female MK is here to support it.

MK Whbee supported the bill and thanked Levi-Abekasis for delivering it.

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 January 3, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/00100012.doc

The Knesset’s Monday session lasted about seven hours. Seven bills were discussed. Four bills became law after passing their third readings, and three were advanced after passing their first readings. Following the defeat of the opposition’s no-confidence motions, the Knesset passed a bill that helps pave the way of Justice Grunis to the presidency of the Supreme Court. Other interesting bills were passed deeper into the night, such as a bill that forces terrorists released in prison swaps to serve the remainder of their term if they return to terror.

Non-Bills Summary

* Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The failure of the Netanyahu government in the political, economic and social sectors’ was defeated 43-55 with 22 MKs not present.

* Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘Mismanagement of foreign affairs, international status damaged by ruining key relationships with friends of Israel and deepening its isolation in the world’ was defeated 37-56 with one MK abstaining and 26 MKs not present.

* Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘Government policy increasing the social gaps’ was defeated 31-57 with 32 MKs not present.

* MK Levi-Abekasis announced the Labor, Welfare and Health Committee seeks to split a bill into two. It was approved by an 8-0 vote.

 

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Courts Bill

Speaker Rivlin thanked the opposition for removing their planned 18-hour filibuster of the ‘Grunis Bill’. He announced the coalition and opposition have agreed on a four hour discussion instead.

Justice, Law and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) announced that MK Katzeleh’s (N.U.) amendment will repeal the controversial 2007 amendment, passed by then Justice Minister Friedman, that prohibits a Supreme Court Justice 67 years old or older from being appointed Supreme Court President.

Opposition Leader Livni stated that she doesn’t discuss legislation from the podium often. She blasted the bill as undemocratic and a retroactive personal bill aimed at picking the next Supreme Court President. She charged that Netanyahu doesn’t know what democracy really is. She attacked Netanyahu, Rotem and the government for advancing this bill. She announced in English, ‘it’s not done’. She spent most of her ten minute speech slamming a different bill that would change how bar association members are appointed to the judicial selection committee. She compared Netanyahu to a dictator who cares more about being the leader, much more than leading.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) said that he was disgusted that people who weren’t participants in the committee discussions show up a minute before the vote on a bill they haven’t even read. He said that all of the opposition’s suggestions were written in the protocol and no one else heard them. He said that the coalition is so strong that all of the opposition’s speeches tonight won’t do anything either. He appealed instead to the viewers of the Knesset debate and complained that the coalition is engaging in dangerous legislation that is changing the rules for the courts, journalists, activists and academics. He called the government anti-democratic and said it is flooding Israeli society with a tsunami of anti-democratic bills. He called on the press to be brave and keep reporting the extremist governments crimes. He lectured to the Israeli people not to give up on their freedom and to support the opposition.

MK Bielski (Kadima) said that he refused to switch the table of the desk of his Ra’anana mayor’s office because he didn’t want to feel that the desk was his own. He said it is important for elected officials to remember they are public servants. He credited MK Elkin’s defection from Kadima to Likud with turning the coalition into a finely oiled machine. He stated there is no serious opposition in the Likud to Netanyahu and he will easily win re-election. He slammed the bill as a dirty agreement among corrupt people and parties. He called on the government to be moderate and to accept some of the opposition’s requests.

MK Shai (Kadima) called today a black day for Israeli democracy. He talked about his event with his 100 journalist friends where they discussed the government’ attack on Israel’s free press and democracy. He said that if he loses the vote, it doesn’t mean he is wrong. He said that democracy is not about the majority controlling the minority, it is about the majority protecting the minority. He slammed the government for their twisted outlook on democracy and told them to save Channel 10. He charged that Israeli citizens are outraged by the government’s legislation and they will pay for it in the ballot box. He said that the late Prime Minister Begin would have been against this bill.

MK Molla (Kadima) condemned the attack of a ultra-orthodox girl by secular kids earlier in the day. He quoted MK Katzeleh from a paper of last year where he said the goal of the bill is to change the Tel Avivian elitist dictatorship through a Grunis administration. Molla asked if we are public officials or coalition officials. He asked how Katzeleh can blast Netanyahu from the opposition and the result is that the coalition passes one of his bills. He called on adopting a presidential system similar to that of the United States to ensure the protection of Israel’s democracy. He said that personal bills are bad and destroying Israeli democracy. He called Justice Minister Neeman corrupt and said Neeman was Foreign Minister Liberman’s messenger.

MK Whbee (Kadima) recalled two and a half years ago when Katzeleh nominated Netanyahu for Prime Minister and within weeks how much Katzeleh regretted that decision. He asked Katzeleh to ponder that. He noted that Rotem and Yisrael Beitenu voted for the 2007 amendment, finding it curious they would want to repeal it in 2012. He charged that this bill harms Israeli democracy and makes today a black day. He charged that Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) is shutting down Channel 10 on purpose and is doing Netanyahu’s bidding. He said that Katzeleh is not even getting credit for the bill and instead Shas and UTJ are.

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained he opposed the personal 2007 Friedman amendment and he opposes the personal repeal for the purpose of helping Justice Grunis and hurting Justice Naor. He went on to slam the planned change to the bar association, a month after the elections. He said these bills are immoral and must be stopped. He slammed MK Ariel’s (N.U.) spot on the judicial selection committee and suggested submitting a bill to change that.

MK Yisrael Hasson (Kadima) talked about a leadership convention he attended. He spoke about his legislation initiative that would prevent the 38.7% of female soldiers from pretending to be religious in order to get out of military service. He said that the 96% of women getting out of their military service by a fax should be prevented from doing so. He slammed the government bill, which he called illogical, and asked Deputy Speaker Akunis (Likud) and Katzeleh to help promote his bill. He noted that 52% of first graders are not in Zionistic schools and a solution must be found soon. He slammed the government for manipulating him and his logical bill.

MK Barakeh (Hadash) said that as someone who opposed the 2007 amendment he would have supported repealing the amendment if it wasn’t being repealed retroactively in order to support Grunis’ candidacy. He slammed the capitalistic government which, he said, leads to a fascist extremist anti-democratic government.

MK Agbaria (Hadash) suggested that Katzeleh is preparing his run for Prime Minister and is starting to position his soldiers in the right places before elections. He charged that it is obvious that there is a corrupt bargain struck between Grunis and Katzeleh. He said that he has noticed how settlers have been appointed to high positions in government, the police and the military. He noted that the settler and religious demographics are growing at a higher speed and Katzeleh is preparing the ground for his run for Prime Minister.

MK Abesadze (Kadima) said she is against personal bills. She went on to quote Menachem Begin and said that he would be against this bill. She warned that this extremism is leading to the exclusion of women from society and will eventually prohibit women from politics. She claimed there is a lack of democracy in the government. She charged that the government is silencing the media. Katzeleh interrupted and noted it was the liberal government that shut down Arutz Sheva and jailed him.

MK Swaid (Hadash) slammed the personal bill. He said that Katzeleh is trying to pull a Newt Gingrich by having the legislators stamp the judges rulings, as opposed to the other way around. He went on to slam the occupation.

MK Tibi (R.T.) congratulated Katzeleh for being stubborn and fighting for his conservative justice’s quest to become Supreme Court President. He asked why Katzeleh doesn’t like Justice Miriam Naor and why he wished to keep her from the presidency. He said that Katzeleh’s determination led to a victory. He said no one really understands how one man, an opposition MK and a fascist, can change the face of the Supreme Court presidency. Katzeleh interrupted and noted that current Supreme Court President Beinisch supports the bill. Tibi fired back that Naor should be the next president.

MK El-Sana (R.T.) said that the Israeli Supreme Court violated international law and gave legitimacy to the settlements and the occupation. He charged that after tonight’s vote Israel can no longer claim to be a democratic country, since the Supreme Court President is elected by the parliament’s majority. He said that Israel grows closer to Syria every day, a country that claims to be a democracy, when everyone knows it is a dictatorship. He said the appointment of settler Justice Solberg is the rubber stamp of killing the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and acts as an assassination of the system as we once knew it.

MK Cabel (Labor) told Katzeleh and Rotem that their attempts to change the outcome of the Supreme Court and who leads it will come around like a boomerang and hurt them. He said that he can’t recall another time when Israeli democracy was at an all time low. He stated he is a moderate and doesn’t usually say such things. He said committee discussion is no more, it is just sides of coalition versus opposition. He warned that lines have been crossed that can’t be undone and tonight another one is being crossed.

MK Herzog (Labor) said that even the legal advisers of the Knesset committees are against all of these anti-Supreme Court bills. He said this conduct of passing all of these retroactive bills is problematic and shows the coalition cares nothing about democracy.

Culture and Sport Minister Livnat (Likud) announced that the she is among the many ministers who are against the Bar Association Bill but that she fully supports this bill. She noted that this bill is repealing a 2007 personal retroactive bill that was meant to prevent Justice Grunis from being appointed president in favor of Justice Naor. She said that no other country can claim a 4.8% economic growth with less than  5% unemployment. She said that she can’t recall another time like this in Israel’s history.

MK Braverman (Labor) said that this is the worst parliament Israel has ever seen. He said it is dangerous when the majority rules the minority and doesn’t care for the minority. He said the elitists are the important part of Israeli society and must be maintained. He told Livnat that liars figure and figures lie. He expressed his support of the American battle of the 99% against the 1%. He concluded by quoting Menachem Begin.

MK Majadele (Labor) told MK Rotem and MK Katzeleh that this bill embarrasses every democratic country. He called Katzeleh an elephant that is hiding behind a mouse. He said he heard that many Likud ministers were against this bill but he can’t find them. He asked where they were when the other racist bills were passed. He said that what was done to the Jewish people for 2,000 years in exile is now being done by the Jews in their own land.

MK Ben Simon (Labor) said that the movement to discredit the elitist Supreme Court, elitist media, elitist socialists and the elitist academia started with Netanyahu’s first term in 1996. He said that Begin, Shamir and Sharon never would have allowed any of this to happen. He said instead the Likud is supporting the extremist National Union.

MK Gal-On (Meretz) said that she would have supported the repeal if it wasn’t retroactive and it wasn’t Katzeleh’s bill. She charged that there is a right wing activism against the Supreme Court. She said there is an unholy agreement between Liberman and the settlers, who both seek revenge on the previous Supreme Court. She said that Katzeleh is a disgrace and it is unacceptable that he is trying to end judicial activism through a Grunis presidency, with the surprising support of the coalition. She charged that Katzeleh is avenging his Arutz Sheva empire that was badly damaged by the Supreme Court, which also threw him in jail. She said that Katzeleh isn’t even ashamed to promote his bill to the media and slam the current system.

MK Gilon (Meretz) charged that Katzeleh is building an illegal outpost within Israeli law with this bill. He said that Katzeleh’s plan is to appoint many settlers to the Supreme Court, where the reality shows “Survivor” and “Big Brother” rule.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) said the problem with a problematic personal bill is that it can’t be just. He questioned why Katzeleh is proud of this bill. He said the timing of the bill is problematic and is undermining the trust of the public in the Supreme Court.

MK Zahalka (Balad) charged that the Likud seeks to control the Supreme Court. He said the government is crossing the lines of acceptable parliamentary conduct with this and other retroactive bills. He quoted President Nixon’s Vice President Spiro Agnew’s opposition to changing the rules in the middle of the game. He noted that former Egyptian President Mubarak attempted for 30 years to change the Egyptian Supreme Court, and Katzeleh is able to accomplish what Mubarak didn’t. He slammed MK Zeev (Shas) for heckling him and for trying to paint himself as an anti-Arab racist MK. He said that the Supreme Court will no longer be liberal and will now have a conservative face.

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) agreed there is disagreement and debate in the Israeli public on the role and makeup of the Supreme Court. He quoted liberal Professor Meni Mantor, who criticizes the Supreme Court’s decision to revoke Israeli laws and said it has led to the delegitimizing of the courts and current system. He slammed the opposition MKs who attempted to hang him over the past few hours. He responded that because of 41 days and Beinisch’s refusal to retire 41 days early, Grunis was going to spend almost three years under Naor, who is younger than him. He quoted from Ha’aretz, which he called the home field court paper for the Tel Aviv elite, which blasted the bill. He called on the Knesset to support the bill.

Chairman Rotem said he understands why Kadima is against repealing the 2007 Justice Minister Friedman amendment they passed. He quoted former Meretz leader Yossi Beilin’s 2007 speech calling on the Knesset to repeal this amendment as soon as possible. He quoted MK Khenin who said the same thing. He called on the opposition to follow Beilin and Khenin.

The bill’s paragraphs were approved 55-37, 56-36 and 56-37.

The objections to the bill were defeated 37-55, 13-75, 37-56, 36-56, 35-57, 37-57 and one by a raise of hands. Other objections were withdrawn.

The bill passed its third reading 57-37.

Two Temporary Amendments to the Defense Service Bill

Deputy Prime Minister Ya’alon (Likud) explained the amendment would extend the temporary amendment that places army veterans in the prison service through the end of 2015 for the purpose of dealing with security prisoners.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) supported the bill. He went on to condemn the press’ incitement against the ultra-orthodox, which has led to violence against the ultra-orthodox community, and called it anti-Semitism. He slammed Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) for saying that anyone who has more than eight children is irresponsible. He recalled when Ben Gurion gave awards to anyone who had more than ten children and that former Foreign Minister David Levy (Likud, Labor, Gesher) has 12. He asked if David Levy is irresponsible.

The first bill passed its first reading 20-1 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill further.

Deputy Prime Minister Ya’alon announced the amendment would extend a temporary order in the defense service for another year.

The second bill passed its first reading 18-2 and was sent to the Defense Committee.

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

Justice, Law and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem explained the amendment would determine how judges decide the penalty for breaking the law. He said that it is important to decide in which cases the minimum penalty should be used and in which cases the maximum penalty should be used and this bill sets specific tables for determining such cases. He noted that the bill will take effect in six months. He expressed pride on the balance his committee brought to the final version after 22 committee meetings.

The bill passed its second reading 14-0.
The bill passed its third reading 13-0.

Amendment to the Courts Bill

Justice, Law and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem explained the amendment would help make the caseload of the courts easier and more efficient by allowing certain cases to be transferred to courts that have a smaller caseload.

The bill passed its second reading 15-0.
The bill passed its third reading 16-0.

 

Amendment to the Terms of Probation Bill

Justice, Law and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem explained his amendment would force those who are released by a presidential pardon and then commit the same crime at a later date to serve the remainder of the first sentence they had received prior to the pardon in addition to their second sentence. He added that this amendment extends to security prisoners and foreigners as well.

The bill passed its second reading 16-0.
The bill passed its third reading 16-0.

MK Danon (Likud) thanked the Knesset for approving his bill. He said that terrorists who get out of jail early in prisoner swaps and return to terror should serve the rest of their first sentence before serving the sentence for their second crime.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

Deputy Prime Minister Ya’alon explained his amendment would fund the development of services for children at risk.

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

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

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/00078812.doc

The Knesset’s Wednesday session lasted about twelve hours. Five of the 21 bills discussed were advanced after passing their preliminary readings. Eight bills were not voted on, and one bill was turned into a motion to avoid defeat, while seven bills were defeated. The controversial Tzohar Bill was among the bills advanced, as was MK Miller’s bill that passed despite government opposition. A Basic Law protecting the Return Bill was defeated.

 

Non-Bills Summary

* House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced changes to a joint Funds and Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee. MK Wilf (Independence) and Deputy Minister Cohen (Shas) will replace MKs Yachimovich (Labor) and Cohen (Shas). He added that MK Pinyan (Likud) will be a permanent substitute, as will MKs Tibi (R.T.) and El-Sana (R.T.). The measures were approved 5-2.

* Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) and Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) answered urgent queries.

* Funds Committee Chairman Gafni (U.T.J.) announced his committee’s request to split a VAT bill into two. It was approved 37-0.

* The traditional monthly opposition request to speak on ‘The Netanyahu government’s failure in the political, economic and social sectors’ was discussed by 15 MKs, Deputy Health Minister Litzman, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Livni.

* Five of the eight motions discussed were sent for further discussion in the various committees by the votes 9-2, 13-0, 8-0, 10-0 and 5-3. Two motions were not voted on, and a motion on ‘The need for a Parliamentary Inquiry Committee on the exclusion of women in Israeli society’ was defeated 31-48.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Inspection of Prices of Commodities and Services Bill

MK Azoulay (Shas) explained his amendment would require government supervision on prices of baby commodities. He said that diapers, formula and other daily baby items are overpriced and their prices must be placed under the government microscope for the purpose of creating a maximum cap on those items. He agreed to postpone the vote on the bill in order to gather government support.

Lawyers’ Comptroller Bill

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) explained that his original bill would create the position of a comptroller for lawyers in order to protect lawyers’ standing in society. He slammed the government lawyer Lador for opposing the bill and noted he has support from most of the MKs in the State Comptroller Committee. He listed many cases in which district attorneys framed innocent men and the courts later released the wronged men. He warned that some district attorneys are corrupt and creating a comptroller to sort them out will merely empower all lawyers in Israel. He agreed to postpone the vote on the bill in order to gather government support.

Electronic Waste Reduction and Recycling Bills

MK Horowitz (Meretz) explained his original bill would create a solution for recycling electronic waste in order to reduce the toxic waste in landfills by 70%.

He said that this bill will create jobs and that there are precious minerals in electronic waste that can be reused, like gold. He agreed to postpone the vote on the bill in order to gather government support.

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained his similar amendment would do the same thing. He agreed to postpone the vote on the bill in order to gather government support.

 

Amendment to the Memorial Day in Israel Bill

MK Matalon (Y.B.) explained his amendment would prohibit the collection of money for Memorial Day rallies and functions. He said it is disgusting that public institutions dared to charge people who lost their family members to attend Memorial Day gatherings and his bill will prohibit such behavior in the future.

Homefront Minister Vilnai (Independence) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 25-1 and was sent to the Culture Committee. Minister Vilnai announced he voted against the bill by mistake.

Mandatory Identification Badge and Identification of a Public Official Bill

MK Orlev (J.H.) explained his original bill would make it mandatory for all policemen and other public officials to wear their identification badge when they are performing their duties. He said it is unacceptable that policemen would hide their identity and prevent citizens from knowing who they really are.

Bureaucracy Minister Eitan (Likud) said that he doesn’t support the bill but the government has decided by a narrow margin to support it. He agreed that there should be more transparency with public officials including the publication of their salaries and their work phone numbers.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 15-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Employment of Women Bill

MK Cabel (Labor) explained his amendment would grant women the right to be absent from work for two hours of their work day while their husband is on reserve duty.

Industry and Trade Minister Simhon (Independence) expressed government support for the bill if it would exclude women who work in education.

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

Regulating the Activities of Retired Heads of State Bill

MK Ben Simon (Labor) explained that his original bill would regulate the activities of retired heads of state and prevent them from doing certain things. He cited former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who went from the prime minister’s office to arms dealing in New York, and called it unacceptable. He said that former prime ministers shouldn’t be allowed to enter the private sector at all and must remain public officials.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) expressed government opposition to the bill and slammed it. He said that this is a personal bill targeted at Prime Minister Netanyahu and if it was really meant to be transparent the bill would have applied to all MKs.

MK Ben Simon slammed Erdan and Netanyahu.

The bill was defeated 16-41-1.

Banning the Use of Mobile Phones in Educational Institutions Bill

MK Bibi (Kadima) explained his original bill would put an end to children using cell phones in classrooms. He said that sending text messages during class is unacceptable and it should be illegal. He noted a study that linked child cell phone usage to child illness. He stated that children should be allowed to enter school and leave school with the cell phone, but during school hours it should be in the locker. He mentioned that in the Knesset and in many businesses phones are not allowed in meetings and asked why schools should be treated any differently.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) said that he agrees with the bill in principle but expressed government opposition to the bill. He stated this bill would be impossible to enforce and it is better to add it as a provision to an internal set of regulations inside the education ministry. He said that he spoke with officials in New York City, which has a city provision prohibiting cell phones, and said that he supports municipalities that decide to pass such provisions.

MK Bibi slammed Sa’ar for not supporting his bill nor promising to support the idea of the bill through other means.

The bill was defeated 21-46-1.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

MK Bibi explained his amendment would change the regulations for old age pensions for people who work up to the age of 70. He said the new regulations would allow the person to work half the year from age 67 to 70 and still enjoy the benefit of later old age pensions. He warned the current situation doesn’t encourage people to retire at 70 instead of 67 and his bill would save the government money.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that those who choose to retire later in life don’t really need their pensions. He said the difference between nine months and six months isn’t such a big deal and his ministry can’t afford it. He said that his budget is NIS 6.5 billion annually and he uses that budget to help those who really need it.

The bill was defeated 17-41.

Amendment to the Sale of Apartments Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained his amendment would limit the legal component of real estate costs. He said that lawyers take up to 2.5% of the apartment’s price at the closing and his amendment would lower it to 0.5%. He slammed MK Rotem (Y.B.) for instructing Tourism Minister Misezhnikov (Y.B.) to tell the government to oppose the bill. He said a vote against this bill is a vote against young families trying to purchase their first homes. He slammed Yisrael Beitenu for opposing the bill and hurting the new immigrants who vote for them. Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) asked Sheetrit to postpone the vote on the bill and allow the government to reconsider and support his bill. Sheetrit agreed.

Amendment to the Companies Bill

MK Sheetrit explained his amendment would prohibit a member of a bank or public board of directors to serve as a director for a private economic company. He said that this bill is correcting a conflict of interest 101. He named a private company whose 16 directors all serve as directors in public companies and banks. He charged that a small group of people are playing around with Israelis’ money. He listed other companies which the daily newspaper Marker revealed as having similar boards. He slammed the corrupt business tycoons for naming bank directors to their board in order to increase their credit or debt. He warned this situation can lead to a collapse of the Israeli financial system as we know it.

Bureaucracy Minister Eitan announced his opposition to Sheetrit’s previous bill. He went on to express government opposition to the current bill. He explained Justice Minister Neeman agrees to prevent the bank element but not the whole public sector. Eitan warned that overhauling all of Israel’s major companies’ directorates is a dangerous thing and changes must be made gradually.

MK Sheetrit asked why the government supports the 53 directors in the public sector that serve as directors for private companies simultaneously.

The bill was defeated 27-42-1.

Amendment of the Public Health Ordinance Bill

MK Whbee (Kadima) explained his amendment would prohibit fluoridated drinking water. He said that many studies have shown that fluoride is unhealthy and every western country except Ireland has prohibited putting fluoride in drinking water. He told Litzman to wake up before he has another Eltroxin mishap that put 200,000 Israeli thyroid patients at risk. He thanked the 57 MKs who co-sponsored his bill.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman expressed his and the government’s opposition to the bill on the grounds that fluoride in the right dosage makes drinking water more healthy. He said that fluoride has been found in drinking water since 1945 and 400 million people in 60 countries drink such water today, Israel joining that group in 1983. He cited studies from WHO, ADA, AMA and CDC that all show that fluoridated drinking water is healthier than non-fluoridated water.

MK Whbee said that 400 million people out of 7 billion people is a small minority and there is a reason why over 6 billion people are no longer drinking fluoridated water. He said that rarely are 57 MKs who co-sponsor a bill wrong.

The bill was defeated 20-44-1.

Amendment to the Lending Textbooks Bill

MK Tirosh (Kadima) slammed the government for trying to head towards digital schoolbooks and called the measure unrealistic. She explained her amendment would allow parents to borrow required books from the school or education ministry instead of bookstores. She stated each year the children will give the textbooks to the grade under them when they complete the year. She added that she seeks to prohibit the sale of textbooks that are not approved by the education ministry.

Education Minister Sa’ar returned Tirosh her glasses that she forgot at the podium. He expressed his and the government’s opposition to the bill. He noted that 1,100 schools already have such a program and that his ministry can’t afford the budget of extending the program to all schools. He stated that under his leadership he has tripled the funding of the program and he will do his best to extend the program as much as the budget allows without the need for legislation. He slammed MK Bar-On (Kadima), who heckled his speech and compared Netanyahu to Mussolini. Deputy Speaker Akunis (Likud) removed MK Bar-On from the plenum after he chose to heckle him as well. Sa’ar asked Kadima to act with some dignity and finished his speech.

MK Tirosh said that Sa’ar is a great minister but she doesn’t know if she can trust the next minister and that is why she proposed this bill. She asked Sa’ar to delay the vote on the bill and Sa’ar agreed.

Gag on Racism, Inciting Racial Hatred and Racial Registration of Corporate Documents Bill

MK Molla (Kadima) blasted Deputy Speaker Akunis for his treatment of MK Bar-On. Deputy Speaker Akunis defended himself and slammed Bar-On for acting like a bully. Molla said his original bill would increase the sanctions on racists and expand the current definition of racism in Israeli law. He slammed Israeli authorities for not prosecuting enough racists each year.

Bureaucracy Minister Eitan said that Molla’s bill damages the current balance between what is covered under freedom of expression and what is considered racism. He warned that this bill would destroy freedom of expression as we know it. Eitan said he doesn’t deny there are many racists in Israel, but he expressed concern that this bill goes too far.

MK Zuaretz (Kadima) said that many religious people and rabbis incite against other Israeli minority groups and under this bill they would be sent away to jail.

The bill was defeated 24-35.

Motion/Amendment to the Holocaust and Heroism Yad Vashem Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained her amendment would form a Righteous Gentiles and Raoul Wallenberg Day in memory of the many people who gave their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. She thanked her co-sponsor MK Ben Ari (N.U.) for supporting her throughout the process of the bill. She noted that Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat, saved 100,000 Jews and was killed for it, and he deserves a day named after him. She agreed to turn the bill into a motion in order for the bill not to be defeated. She slammed Yad Vashem for opposing the bill and noted that Yad Vashem Chairman Rabbi Lau agreed to support the bill if the date is changed to January 17th.

The motion passed 20-0 and was sent to the Culture Committee.

Amendment to the National Health Insurance Bill

MK Solodkin explained her amendment would increase the discount on Holocaust survivors’ medications.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman asked Solodkin to postpone the vote on the bill for two months in order for his ministry to find a way to support the bill. MK Solodkin agreed, and Litzman thanked her.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

MK Agbaria (Hadash) explained his amendment would reduce the social security payment for medical school students in an institution of higher education outside of Israel. He said that many Israelis study medicine outside of Israel because there aren’t enough places, not because they want to leave Israel, and because of this they shouldn’t have to pay full social security payments. He stated that discriminating against these students is wrong and there is no reason why they should pay more social security than Israeli students if they aren’t even in the country. He agreed to postpone the vote on the bill in order to give the government more time to change its mind.

Basic Law: Return Bill

MK Eldad (N.U.) explained his intention is to protect the current Return Bill by turning it into a Basic Law. He said that a bill that is the pillar of Israeli democracy should be elevated to a Basic Law in order to protect its Jewish identity and Zionistic ideology. He warned that if the bill isn’t fortified the Supreme Court might repeal the Return Bill and Israel will cease to exist as a Jewish state. He slammed Shas and UTJ for opposing the bill. He blasted Labor and Meretz for opposing the bill and told them they can no longer calls themselves Zionists.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) thanked MK Eldad for a remarkable speech. He said that he doesn’t see a reason to elevate the Return Bill to become a Basic Law. He noted that Kadima MKs Sheetrit and Bielski are among many centrist MKs that seek to repeal the original Return Bill. He expressed his and the government’s opposition to the bill.

MK Eldad told Yishai that he just gave his least convincing speech ever from the Knesset podium. He asked Netanyahu to save his dignity and abstain. He asked Foreign Minister Liberman, who supported the bill, to instruct his MKs to vote for the bill. Liberman responded that he supports the bill but he can’t do as Eldad asked. Eldad warned the MKs they are voting against word for word the Return Bill. He called on all of the real Zionist MKs to at least not vote if they aren’t allowed to vote for it.

Interior Minister Yishai responded that the Supreme Court treats the bill as a Basic Law so there is no reason to give the bill a promotion.

The bill was defeated 10-36.

Amendment to the Marriage and Divorce Ordinance Bill

Bureaucracy Minister Eitan (Likud) explained that MK Kirshenbaum’s amendment would allow Jews to go through the marriage registration process in any area or city under the authority of the religious affairs ministry. He said the current situation allows the couple to register only in the cities in which they live and some of those cities discriminate against certain groups. He agreed this bill will solve that problem. He added that the government also supports a similar amendment by MK Schneller (Kadima).

Religious Affairs Minister Margi (Shas) slammed the bill. He said that it is unacceptable that a different minister would answer this bill when it is a bill that is under the authority of his ministry. He said that there is no problem of Jewish couples registering in any city. He attacked the MKs who he said are trying to win political points over an unnecessary bill. He said he is willing to support Schneller’s bill that has some sense but he can’t support Kirshenbaum’s.

Bureaucracy Minister Eitan said he had no idea that Margi wanted to present the government’s position to the bill considering he opposed it. He clarified that he wouldn’t have presented the government’s position if he knew Margi wanted to do so.

MK Gafni (U.T.J.) objected to the bill. He said that Margi was playing too nice. He slammed Kirshenbaum for a sloppy piece of legislation in an issue that she has no clue about. He said Tzohar Rabbis will put the religious affairs ministry out of business and warned all MKs to oppose the bill. He charged that if the haredim were in a Kadima-led government this bill never would have passed.

MK Kirshenbaum (Y.B.) said her bill is better than Schneller’s and that his bill won’t be voted on today but her bill will. She called on the whole Knesset to support the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 57-15 and was sent to the House Committee in order to determine which committee will discuss the bill further. Prime Minister Netanyahu voted against the bill by mistake.

Bonus for Immigrant Teachers Bill

MK Miller (Y.B.) explained his original bill would encourage good teachers who are immigrants to stay in the public sector by providing them bonuses, so that they don’t leave for the private sector. He said that most of the math and science teachers are immigrants and it is in the country’s best interest to keep them in the public school system.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) expressed government opposition to the bill. He warned that if it does pass, Miller must agree to lower the amount of the bonuses in order to secure the 50 MKs needed to fund the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 35-5 and was sent to the House Committee in order to determine which committee will discuss the bill further.

Knesset’s Tuesday session lasted five hours. Four bills were discussed. Three bills became law after passing their third readings, and one bill was advanced after passing its first reading. There were more bills on the agenda, but Speaker Rivlin had called for a hard stop at 4 PM to ensure the MKs could get home in time to light the eighth Hanukkah candles. The new laws change the regulations of public broadcasting, allow municipalities to hire private security guards to pick up the slack from ineffective police stations and prevent settling in cases of a hit-and-run without the consent of the victim or his family. The bill advanced discusses the regulation of flyers put up in apartment buildings and the necessary compensation for damage caused.

Non-Bills Summary

* 20 MKs spoke during the one minute speech segment of the day. The main topic was the female retirement age and other feminist issues.

* A motion on Senior Citizen Day was discussed by Deputy Minister Nass (Likud) and seven MKs.

* A motion on the increase in public transportation fares on January 1, 2012, was discussed by seven MKs and Minister Eitan (Likud). The motion was sent for further discussion in the Funds Committee following a 6-0 vote.

* House Committee Chairman Levin announced that MKs Herzog (Labor), Orlev (J.H.) and Whbee (Kadima) replaced MKs Cabel (Labor), Orbach (J.H.) and Hermesh (Kadima) in a joint subcommittee on Holocaust affairs. He also announced which disputed bills would be discussed in which committees. The changes were approved by the votes 10-0 and 9-0.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Broadcasting Authority Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained that the bill he had started to present the previous day would update regulations in the public broadcasting authority, including property transfers and increasing the budget of foreign language programming. It would also lower the overall requirements of original programming in order to help public broadcasting balance their budget. He said that public broadcasting is about to go bankrupt and this is a band-aid, but if an overall reform is not passed soon it will go off the air within a year. He said that the 1,800 employees of public broadcasting are taking up most of the budget and jobs eventually will need to be cut if the channels want to survive. Speaker Rivlin said that he doesn’t like the bill but will vote for it. Shama stressed that if this bill isn’t passed today public broadcasting would close down in a month.

MK Wilf (Independence) said that the television tax should be raised and the budget for the public broadcasting must be raised significantly. She objected to the bill because it prevents financial flexibility by forcing the funding of certain programs and excluding others. She also slammed certain aspects of public broadcasting which she said was religious extremism.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) said that the government is carrying out a terrorist attack against the media in Israel. He said that Netanyahu is trying to close Channel 10 and now Channel 1. He warned that the public broadcasting employees not loyal to Netanyahu will soon be laid off. He said that in a few years the media in Israel will become Bibi television and Bibi radio.

MK Edery (Kadima) said this bill will harm Israel’s pluralism and democracy. He said that neutering the press is harming Israel’s democracy.

MK Bielski (Kadima) suggested that perhaps the government should merge Channels 1 and 10 into one channel in order to save both.

MK Tiviaev (Kadima) said the government should save Channels 1 and 10 by increasing their funding significantly.

MK Shai (Kadima) stated that the Israeli media is under fire from enemies within the Knesset who choose to shut their mouths. He praised investigative reporting that led to the discovery of the extremism of Bet Shemesh. MK Eichler (U.T.J.) heckled Shai his entire speech. Shai warned that without Channels 1 and 10 the public might not learn about Bet Shemesh and other important subjects. He said that he doesn’t like the new face of Israeli society and he plans to fight against it.

MK Whbee (Kadima) asked why Netanyahu needs to be the minister in charge of public broadcasting. He said there are over 30 ministers and he can give it to someone else. He said this government is dangerous and is using public broadcasting as its own private channel.

MK Adatto (Kadima) said there is a witch hunt against the press. She said that freedom of expression is being attacked and no one in the government is doing anything about it because that is their will.

MK Plesner (Kadima) said that Netanyahu has decided to treat Channel 1 different than Channel 10 by allowing one to survive and the other to die. He said that Netanyahu is killing the original programming of Channel 1 in order to provide more programming for Russians and Ethiopians. He said this isn’t a reform but a disgrace.

MK Shamalov Berkovich (Kadima) said that public broadcasting hasn’t done its job and the citizens are frustrated with it. She said it is ridiculous that most of the budget goes towards salaries. She slammed the heavy regulation on Israeli television and called for it to be reformed. She said that the television tax should be abolished and called for closing down public broadcasting. She said that perhaps public broadcasting can be revived later.

MK Avital (Kadima) said that the opposition needs to think of alternate solutions to solve this problem and he admitted that he had none.

MK Cabel (Labor) stated that he misses the public broadcasting administration of Joe Bar-el and that shows how bad the situation has gotten. He said that most of the scheduling of Channels 1, 23 and 33 has become reruns.

Bureaucracy Minister Eitan (Likud) said he agreed that public broadcasting should see an increase in funding. He said that slumping ratings should be looked at by public broadcasting and they should realize which shows need to be cut. He said that he loves public broadcasting and this bill is needed to save it. He called on the Knesset to approve the bill and oppose the objections. He warned that defeating this bill will kill public broadcasting.

The bill’s paragraphs passed their second readings 35-18, 34-17-1 and 35-18

Objections to the bill were defeated 0-51-1, 17-35-1, 17-35, 17-34-1 and 17-34-1.

The bill passed its third reading 35-18.

Temporary Amendment to the Municipalities Ordinance Bill

MK Bielski (Kadima) explained the amendment would allow municipalities to take an additional city tax in order to pay for municipal security. Bielski said that sometimes the police don’t do their job in certain cities and the municipality should be allowed to hire private security. He noted that this amendment would be a one year experiment until the beginning of 2013.

MK Khenin (Hadash) called the bill dangerous and slammed the government. He said that the government has decided not to enforce law and order, leaving it to the municipalities. He stated that it is time to vote something down and tell the government to take responsibility for the natural items of which it is entrusted. He said it is illogical that a right-wing government would choose not to provide security for its citizens. He asked what the citizens are paying taxes for.

Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Cohen (Shas) thanked Bielski for supporting and presenting the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 17-2.

The bill passed its third reading 17-2.

Amendment to the Cleanliness Maintenance Bill

MK Orlev (J.H.) explained his amendment would regulate where someone can place a flyer in an apartment building. He said the amendment also provides compensation towards citizens that have their property damaged by flyers.

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

Amendment to the Rights of Victims of Crime Bill

MK Michaeli (Shas) explained the amendment would prevent settling hit-and-run cases without the consent of the victim or his family.

MK Bielski (Kadima) thanked the Knesset for supporting his bill and listed the hit-and-run cases which led him to sponsor the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 12-0.

The bill passed its third reading 11-0.

The Knesset Monday session lasted only three hours. Only two bills were discussed. One bill was passed in its third reading, and the other was interrupted in the middle. There were more bills on the agenda, but Speaker Rivlin called for a hard stop at 4 PM to ensure the MKs could get back home in time to light the seventh Hanukkah candles.

 

Non-Bills Summary

* Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The helplessness of the Netanyahu government to deal with the exclusion of women and the symptoms of extremism and violence in Israel’ was defeated 38-54 with 28 MKs not present.

* Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘Fire fighters and fire system also continue to be abandoned after a disastrous year in the Carmel’ was defeated 39-55 with 26 MKs not present.

* Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The government’s impotence in the face of increasing violence and criminality among the Arab population’ was defeated 28-55 with 37 MKs not present. (The title suggests their concern was about violence among the Arabs, but their speeches indicated they were actually concerned about violence towards the Arabs.)

 

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Retirement Age Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) explained that the female retirement age will remain at 62 for the next five years. He said that raising the female retirement age while women are being persecuted is wrong and that the timing of this amendment is very necessary. He expressed hope that in five years the Knesset will choose to lower the female retirement age and repeal his amendment.

MK Itzik (Kadima) thanked all of the female MKs for supporting this bill and for their courage in convincing their male co-workers to support the bill. She slammed the finance minister as the only man who opposed this bill.

MK Gal-On (Meretz) said that this bill ensures female equality. She said that women shouldn’t have to retire at 67 like men, calling that unequal. She also slammed the finance minister.

MK Barakeh (Hadash) stressed that he was the original co-sponsor of this bill five years ago and slammed Itzik, Gal-On and others for trying to take the credit that he deserves.

The bill passed its second reading 73-0.
The bill passed its third reading 77-0.

MK Gilon (Meretz) slammed the government for their argument that in order to ensure the equality of women, women must have the same retirement age as men.

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) said that this vote is not cause for celebration, but that populism has conquered logic. He stated that women lost today because their pensions will remain lower since they retire earlier. He said that most of Europe has a female retirement age of 67 or higher. He said it is only a matter of time before both men and women will retire at 70 or older. He said that historians will look back on this moment as the Knesset rejecting sound economic logic for populism.

Amendment to the Broadcasting Authority Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained that his amendment would upgrade the regulations on public broadcasting, including property regulations. Speaker Rivlin interrupted Shama and told him to finish presenting the bill tomorrow because the Knesset reached its hard stop.