Jeremy's Knesset Insider

The Monday session lasted about five hours. Six bills were discussed. Three bills became law after passing their third readings and three were advanced after passing their first readings. The new laws present contracted workers with more rights, enact various changes in the employment services council and prohibit the sale of books in a mandatory package deal. The three no-confidence motions were defeated.

Non-Bills Summary

* Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The Netanyahu government widens social gaps and continues to hurt the middle and lower classes’ was defeated 38-51 with 31 MKs not present.

* Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘OECD inequality data’ was defeated 37-53 with 30 MKs not present.

* Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu’s failure in government treatment of economic and social problems in the Arab communities’ was defeated 31-56 with 33 MKs not present.

* House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced that MK Tibi (R.T.) will replace MK El-Sana (R.T.) and MK Herzog (Labor) will replace MK Cabel (Labor) in a joint subcommittee of the Justice and Finance Committees.

Bills Summary

Increased Enforcement of Labor Laws Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) stated that his committee has passed over 90 bills over the course of this term. He revealed that this is one of his favorites. He said that this bill will help contracted workers by both enforcing their existing labor rights and providing them with additional labor rights. He added that the bill severely increases sanctions against contractors who violate these rights. He spent about thirty minutes discussing the very complex bill and explaining its many clauses.

MK Khenin (Hadash) praised Chairman Katz and noted that Katz was wearing a white shirt for only the second time this term. He said that although he agrees that this is a good bill he objects to the bill because it doesn’t do enough for the contracted workers. He spent about thirty minutes pointing out holes in the bill and clauses that should have been added.

MK Shemtov (Y.B.) called the bill a holiday celebration for contracted workers. She stressed that the reason she went on a hunger strike for two days was to put pressure on the government to pass this bill as quickly as possible. She recalled working as a cleaning lady as a contracted worker and the tough conditions she worked under. She stated the bill does have both meat and teeth and will help the contracted workers.

MK Peretz (Labor) said this bill is the most important bill Chairman Katz has ever touched and it will forever be the one bill that is remembered as Katz’s legacy. He called the bill a social justice bill and praised Katz for a few more minutes. He called on the government to implement this bill and other socialist bills and to stop the selective enforcement policy of non-capitalistic bills.

Chairman Katz called on MK Khenin to remove his objections and asked the Knesset to approve the bill as is. Khenin agreed to remove all but one of his objections.

The bill’s 58 paragraphs passed their second reading 43-0, 46-0, 46-0 and 49-0.

The objection was defeated 7-33-1.

The bill passed its third reading 48-0.

Amendment to the Employment Services Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the amendment would change the structure of the Employment Services Council by changing the number of council members and introducing term limits. He said the amendment will also change both the authority and the budget of the council.

The bill passed its second reading 26-0.

The bill passed its third reading 25-0.

Amendment to the Civil Wrongs Bill

Bureaucracy Minister Eitan (Likud) explained that through this amendment the liability of the State toward victims of terrorist acts would be restructured within one bill. He reported that the current situation allows victims to choose one of two to three bills in order to receive financial compensation. He revealed that some people have decided to seek compensation through more than one track which leads some people to play the system. He concluded by stating that the amendment repeals the current amendment which allows victims to seek compensation through the Civil Wrongs Bill.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) said that it is the government’s responsibility to take care of terror victims and their families. He expressed regret that the Arabs will never accept the Jews and looked to the Bible to support his theory. He went on to blast the incitement in the news against the ultra-orthodox.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) criticized the government for allowing foreigners to tell Israel what they can and can’t do with their capital, Jerusalem.

The bill passed its first reading 15-6 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) called on Israel to throw away the Ottoman Income Tax Ordinance Bill and replace it with an Israeli one. He explained the amendment would increase the tax-free contributions citizens and foreigners can donate to public institutions.

MK Eichler blasted the press for ultra-orthodox incitement and the government institutions for discriminating against the ultra-orthodox.

MK Ariel (N.U.) supported the bill. He went on to slam Netanyahu for allowing everyone but Jews to enter the Temple Mount. He charged that Netanyahu doesn’t seek to protect Jerusalem’s sovereignty.

MK Ben Ari blasted the discrimination against the ultra-orthodox in the workplace.

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

Amendment to the Military Justice Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) explained the amendment would prohibit the police from releasing criminal records to most government institutions in order to prevent discrimination during the hiring process.

MK Levin (Likud) expressed reservations about the bill. He said the fight should be to close criminal records when the person is found innocent, not give a free pass to everyone.

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

Amendment to the State Education Bill

MK Michaeli (Y.B.) explained this was her first bill to be brought for approval and it is her baby. She stated her amendment will prohibit bookstores from selling books in package deals and enable customers to buy a book separately from the package.

The bill passed its second reading 13-0.

The bill passed its third reading 14-0.

The Wednesday session lasted about eight hours and fifteen minutes. 14 bills were discussed. Three bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings, two were turned into motions, two were postponed in order to avoid defeat and seven were defeated. The bills advanced deal with incentives for neutering your dog, providing grandparents the right to see their grandchildren and technical changes to the Knesset Bill. Five of eight motions were sent for further discussion in various committees.

Non-Bills Summary

*Homefront Defense Minister Vilnai (Independence), Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas), Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.), Communication Minister Kahlon (Likud) and Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.

*Eight motions were discussed on various topics. Five of them were sent for further discussion in various committees by the votes 12-0, 17-0, 8-0, 10-0 and 4-0. Two motions were not voted on, and a motion on the racism in Israeli education system textbooks was defeated 5-6.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Legal Capacity and Guardianship Bill

MK Orlev (J.H.) explained his amendment would allow grandparents contact with a minor even if the parent isn’t allowed contact. He noted that the judges would have the authority to determine if the grandparents shouldn’t have contact with the minor.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 11-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Knesset Bill

MK Levin (Likud) explained that his amendment will match the Knesset Elections Bill to the Knesset Bill and eliminate several inconsistencies. He noted that the government doesn’t have a position on the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 23-0 and was sent to the House Committee.

Amendment to the Control of Dogs Bill

MK Cabel (Labor) thanked Minister Noked (Independence) and MK Rotem (Y.B.) for fighting with him for animal rights. He explained the amendment would promote spaying and neutering dogs by lowering the price of dog registration in order to prevent the thousands of dogs who are put to sleep every year. He noted that those who don’t neuter their dogs will need to pay more for registration than they do today.

Agriculture Minister Noked expressed government support for the bill.

MK Eldad (N.U.) said he is frustrated with the obsessive animal rights legislation over the last month. He suggested that if we start limiting the number of animals we will eventually limit the number of people. He warned that this bill will encourage people not to register their dogs to avoid the high costs of the registration, which will lead to fewer dogs being neutered and getting their shots. He opposed the bill and called on the Knesset to defeat it.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 28-2 with one MK abstaining and was sent to the Education Committee.

Amendment to the Planning and Building Bill/Motion

MK Barakeh (Hadash) explained the amendment would require building demolitions to be funded at the expense of the State. He stated that if the government wants to destroy an illegal building and throw a family out on the street, the government should pay for the demolition and not require the evicted family to pay for it. He blasted the government for discriminating against Arabs.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) said that Barakeh’s speech had little to do with the bill itself or the truth and therefore he will ignore his speech. He said that Jewish homes are also demolished for being illegal and a bill that legalizes illegal buildings is very questionable. He said that he was willing to support the bill as a motion if Barakeh was interested and he would explain to Barakeh why Barakeh was wrong in the committee.

MK Barakeh agreed to turn the bill into a motion in order to prevent its defeat.

The motion passed 55-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

MK Zahalka (Balad) explained his amendment would exempt students from paying national insurance contributions. He said that the social justice protesters were mainly students and the middle class. He said that they are still waiting for that social justice and this bill will bring it forward.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) expressed government opposition to the bill due to financial concerns.

The bill was defeated 24-38 with one MK abstaining.

Amendment to the Companies’ Ordinance Bill/Motion

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) explained that the amendment gives the government the power and grounds for dissolution of a company if it boycotts Israeli settlements by refusing to provide services or products. He noted that the bill doesn’t force the dissolution; it just empowers the government to do so. He noted the eight coalition MKs that signed the bill wish to see it passed today. He thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for showing up to hear his speech and called on him to support this nationalistic and Zionistic bill. He noted that Jews were boycotted throughout their history and now that we have our own state we can’t allow Israeli companies to boycott parts of Israel. He stated that 700,000 Jews over the green line are being boycotted and the government should do something about it.

Justice Minister Neeman opposed the bill on the grounds that the government can only dissolve a company if it commits illegal measures and can’t dissolve a company for ethical reasons. He said this bill could put many workers in the unemployment offices and that isn’t fair. He suggested to Katzeleh to find a different way to combat the boycotting of settlements and settlers.

MK Katzeleh said his co-sponsors suggested turning the bill into a motion and that is something he can support. He said the boycotting of Jews in Israel must be discussed in committee. Neeman agreed.

The motion was passed 45-13 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

MK Molla (Kadima) explained his amendment would allow the labor court to hear social security appeals and have the final decision in those cases. He called his bill a fair one that will bring justice to many people who were wronged.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon noted that in most cases it is already possible to appeal to the labor court. He said that he is against sending cases that don’t have to do with labor law to the labor court and therefore the government is against the bill. He said that he supports the current situation and said that doctors should make decisions rather than justices in health issues and so forth.

The bill was defeated 26-30.

Amendment to the Jewish Religious Services Bill

MK Molla explained his amendment would combine the religious council of Keisim with the regular religious council. He said that the Ethiopian Keisim are as versed in Jewish law as other rabbis and they should be included in the religious council and not forced to be separate. He said that the discrimination of Ethiopian religious leaders is unbearable and it is wrong that they don’t have any religious authority. He vowed to propose this bill every six months until it is passed.

Religious Affairs Minister Margi (Shas) noted that 86 Keisim have received salaries from his ministry for over twenty years. He said that Chief Rabbis from Morocco and other places had to take the Israeli tests before they entered the religious councils. He said that most Ethiopian Keisim don’t want to be part of the religious councils and many of them don’t do anything and still receive their paychecks. He slammed Molla for being a populist by attacking the religious establishment and told him that Ethiopians are not discriminated against and are treated like every other Jew.

MK Molla told Margi that he should be ashamed of himself telling him and the Ethiopians who they are and what they want. He said that they are not his electorate and they are not his people and they simply want to be part of the religious establishment which discriminates against them. He slammed Rabbi Ovadia Yosef for not doing anything for Ethiopians.

The bill was defeated 32-43. MK Orlev voted for the bill by mistake.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) slammed Molla for criticizing Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and told him that without Rabbi Yosef the Ethiopians never would have been brought to Israel.

Free Public Companies Phone Service Bill

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) explained that his original bill would provide free phone calls to public companies, ministries and institutions. He rejected those who said that the country can’t meet the funding required for the bill.

Bureaucracy Minister Eitan (Likud) confessed that he supported the bill but the government decided against it. He said that any bill that costs over a million shekels annually should be examined and if it doesn’t meet government priorities it won’t find support. He said that solving these issues should be directed towards internet solutions and not telephone service. He noted that many times if you call a government company they don’t answer their phone and said that consumers receive better service in person or through the internet. He stressed the most important thing is customer service in any form that they want.

MK Hasson slammed the government for opposing his bill and told them that their priorities are messed up. He said his bill will eventually pass.

The bill was defeated 30-39.

Amendment to the Senior Citizens Bill

MK Shai (Kadima) blamed the government for causing the social justice protests with a failed policy and charged that the government has done nothing since. He explained his amendment would lower the age of the male senior citizen in Israel from 67 to 62 so it matches the age for women. He said this would help them benefit from discounts in property tax, public transportation, television tax, national park and museum fees but would not affect pensions. He called the current situation male discrimination.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that the lower female senior citizen age is meant to bring equality to women and to discriminate against men.

MK Shai slammed the government for not treating his bill with the respect it deserves. He slammed the government for not trying to make life a little bit easier for the elderly.

The bill was defeated 28-37.

Child Rights Commission Bill

MK Tirosh (Kadima) explained her original bill would create a child rights commission that would protect children’s rights.

Justice Minister Neeman opposed the bill on the grounds that there are many non-profits that protect children’s rights and there is no reason to create a commission for something that is already being done.

MK Tirosh said that a commission is required and she will continue to fight for children’s rights.

The bill was defeated 29-39.

Amendment to the Reserve Service Bill

MK Zuaretz (Kadima) explained her amendment would provide an academic year without reserve duty for every Israeli veteran. She said that the social justice protesters are calling for this type of bill. She stressed the importance of helping soldiers become civilians by giving them their first year off of reserve duty in order to concentrate on their studies. She agreed to postpone the vote on her bill in order to avoid defeat.

Amendment to the Public Defender Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained that her amendment would force the government to pay for lab tests of defendants needed to prove their innocence. She said that a person shouldn’t need to pay money to prove his innocence. She said that state forensic testing against defendants are often non conclusive and later on other lab tests prove their innocence.

Justice Minister Neeman opposed the bill on the grounds that many defendant lab tests and expert testimonies are paid for by the government. He said that allowing the defendants to order any test on the taxpayers’ back is excessive. He noted that the public defenders office themselves have come out against this bill. He called the bill unnecessary and said he wastes every Friday reading dozens of bills that are not necessary. He called on the MKs to think twice before submitting a bill and decide if it is really necessary to bother him and the Knesset with them.

MK Solodkin stated that innocent people are sitting in jail and only after the family can pay for lab tests does the truth come out and they are set free. She slammed Neeman for supporting the bureaucracy of the current system that will keep those innocent people in jail until they can afford to pay for the tests that prove their innocence. She called her bill very necessary.

The bill was defeated 24-36.

Amendment to the Discrimination Prohibition in Educational Institutions Bill

MK Michaeli (Shas) explained that his amendment would increase the sanctions on principals who discriminate against children through preventing enrollment in educational institutions. He noted that he has postponed this bill for six months and he will postpone the vote on this bill again. He said that he will eventually pass this bill and he will fight to do so.

The Tuesday session lasted about four hours. Two bills were discussed. One bill became law after passing its third reading, and one bill was advanced after passing its first reading. The new law will promote sending minors for rehabilitation outside of jail. The bill advanced will prohibit repo men from taking away a blind person’s walking dog welfare payments. Three motions were discussed, one of which was sent for further discussion in committee.

Non-Bills Summary

* 21 MKs gave speeches during the one minute speech segment that opened the day.

* A motion marking International Equal Rights for People with Disabilities Day was discussed by Speaker Rivlin and six MKs.

* A motion marking International Human Rights Day was discussed by seven MKs and Tourism Minister Misezhnikov (Y.B.).

* A motion on international awareness of the problem of suicide and the need for elimination was discussed by MK Michaeli (Shas), Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) and Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud). The motion was sent to the Funds Committee by a 4-0 vote.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Execution Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained that the amendment will place a prohibition on government repo men from taking away the welfare money blind people receive for their walking dogs.

MK Khenin (Hadash) said this bill is in the spirit of International Human Rights Day. He said that the blind person needs those NIS 933 a month for a walking dog and they shouldn’t be taken away in a repo situation.

MK Barakeh (Hadash) praised the bill and noted that Khenin was a co-sponsor on the bill. He said it was a very important bill.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) confided that one of his closest friends is deaf and expressed the importance of supporting those who are handicapped. He supported the bill and said democracies are measured by how they treat their handicapped citizens.

MK Zeev (Shas) supported the bill. He said that the government moves too quickly in freezing funds and he plans on submitting a bill on the subject.

The bill passed its first reading 23-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Youth Bill

Justice, Law and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained the amendment will regulate the judgment, punishment and treatment of criminal minors.

The bill passed its second reading 8-0.

The bill passed its third reading 8-0.

MK Orlev (J.H.) noted it took him seven years to get the government to support his bill that will lean towards rehabilitation instead of incarceration.

MK Khenin said this is a revolutionary decision that will make it very difficult to send minors to jail. He said that this type of rehabilitation is in the New Zealand, Canadian and Australian models.

Monday’s session lasted about five hours. Six bills were discussed. Two new laws were enacted after the bills passed their third readings, and four bills were advanced after passing their first readings. The new laws change the tax brackets for 2012 and the Israeli patent laws. The most debated bill advanced was the Museum Bill that would fund museums in Judea and Samaria. The three no-confidence motions were defeated as usual.

Non-Bills Summary

* Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The Netanyahu government undermines the middle class and the disadvantaged groups’ was defeated 32-48 with 40 MKs not present.

* Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The government is trying to bury the demands of social justice’ was defeated 30-49 with 41 MKs not present.

* Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The IDF’s decision to bury the Segev Committee report requiring equality between men and women’ was defeated 30-49 with 41 MKs not present.

* The Justice, Law and Constitution Committee’s request to split a bill into two was approved 14-0.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Patents Bill

Justice, Law and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained the amendment would change Israel’s patent laws in order to meet the conditions of the 2009 signed agreement with the WIPO. He noted that not one MK showed up to the committee meetings on the subject.

The bill passed its second reading 42-0 with one MK abstaining.

The bill passed its third reading 39-0.

Amendment to the Change in the Tax Burden Bill

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni (U.T.J.) explained the amendment would raise the corporate tax by 1% to 25%. It would also lower income tax in the NIS 8,000 – 14,000 per month bracket by 2%, raise the negative income tax on women by 50%, raise men’s bonus points by two for children under the age of 3, and raise the senior citizens’ interest tax exemption from NIS 9,000 to NIS 13,000 per month for an individual and up to NIS 16,000 for a couple. In addition, the amendment would grant the authorization and transfer of property of secondhand homes to the buyer after the tax authority receives a portion of the purchase tax- NIS 7,500 for apartments built after 2001 and NIS 15,000 for apartments built before.  The amendment would also lower interest rates on mortgages of under NIS 220,000 by 1% only for 2012. He stated the bill will help the middle class at the expense of the rich elite and the bill will assist families in buying their homes. He blasted the Trachtenberg committee, which he said did not reflect the Israeli population since it didn’t have any religious Jews or Arabs.

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) praised the bill and slammed Trachtenberg. He suggested the next steps should be eliminating the VAT on real estate purchases and lowering real estate taxes.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) praised the bill and Chairman Gafni. He said the bill was balanced and creates real solutions for the middle class’ troubles. He rejected the claims that the tent protesters were a bunch of communists and suggested the government listen to their cries. He went on to call on the government to solve the demographic problem by providing free childcare from the age of three months through high school and cheaper university tuition. He concluded by praising the government for eliminating the customs tax for purchases under NIS 1,200.

MK Molla (Kadima) praised the bill but expressed disappointment that the bill doesn’t go further in the real estate category. He said that we don’t need communism but we should turn the pyramids around so that there are fewer poor people and more rich people. He agreed with Hasson that child daycare should be free from three months old. He slammed the government for raising the electricity prices at the same time they are lowering the middle class’ taxes, suggesting the middle class will not save any money.

MK Whbee (Kadima) praised and supported the bill. He said that any time the government takes money from the rich and gives it to the poor it is a bill that Kadima will support. He thanked the government for lowering the gas taxes. He slammed the government for not doing more for the over 1.7 million Israelis under the poverty line. He said the poor keep getting poorer and the rich keep getting richer.

MK Gafni said he agreed with the four MKs who spoke on the bill and said he wished he could have added other things to the bill. He said that by helping the companies and the rich, the poor get jobs and that is why Israel has an all time low rate of unemployment. He said the important thing is to find a balance and that is what this bill brings. He thanked all of the MKs for supporting the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 41-0.

The bill passed its third reading 40-0.

MK Barakeh (Hadash) called on the government to cancel the two-year budget and to reopen it for 2012 to add the demands of the tent protesters. He said that taxes should be raised on the rich and lowered for the poor. He called for ending the occupation and eliminating most of the defense ministry’s budget.

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) thanked the MKs from all the parties that supported the bill. He urged financial responsibility and prayed that the Euro doesn’t crash.

Amendment to the Museums Bill

MK Ariel (N.U.) explained the amendment would apply the museum bill to Judea and Samaria. He noted four museums that would now be able to receive government funding like other Israeli museums. He asked why 400,000 Judea and Samaria residents have taxation without representation as unequal citizens under Israeli law. He expressed hope that this will be the first step in righting that wrong.

MK Molla announced that Kadima had decided to allow every MK to vote according to their belief on this bill. He expressed his view that Israel should end the occupation and that he will support this bill until the residents of Judea and Samaria return to Israel’s pre-1967 borders.

MK Barakeh called this bill a win to the land grabbers, hilltop youth and price taggers. He called on the government to fund a Palestinian museum on the occupation and settler violence. He said that the settlers are not citizens and therefore do not deserve rights. He stated his belief that the settlements are temporary.

MK Swaid (Hadash) said that this bill is meant to annex Judea and Samaria into Israel. He said the land is occupied and can’t be annexed. He said this bill is parallel to the construction of a museum of tolerance over a Muslim cemetery. He asked if Israel wants to annex the King Solomon borders and rule over the whole Middle East.

MK Khenin (Hadash) said this bill teaches us that Israel is still trying to play the Zionist game of the 1940s. He said that the world will never accept the occupation and that Israel will eventually give up on ruling over the Palestinians.

MK El-Sana (R.T.) accused Netanyahu for supporting a two state solution of Israel and a second country for the settlers of Judea and Samaria, leaving nothing for the occupied Palestinians. He said that the Jews have no historical or geographic claim to Israel. He said as the decedents of Abraham the Palestinians deserve at least 50% of historic Palestine.

MK Zahalka (Balad) stated there is a normalization of the occupation and that is the reason this bill doesn’t receive press coverage. He called the bill a violation of international law. He called Israel a criminal nation.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) supported the bill and praised it. He slammed the Muslims for denying the Jewish state of Israel and the Supreme Court for accepting many of these ridiculous Muslim claims.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) rejected the Palestinian claims that they are Jebozites, noting that they were idol worshipers, not Arabs or Abrahamites. He praised the bill.

MK Rotem noted that there was never any Palestinian state and that Israel conquered Judea and Samaria from Jordan. He said that the U.N. partition plan called for a Jewish land and an Arab land, and both were created- Israel and Jordan. He stated that the Palestinian people are a new invention, their land is not occupied and the bill is not a violation of international law. He praised the bill.

The bill passed its first reading 19-3 and was sent to the Culture Committee.

Amendment to the Pensions to Prisoners of Zion and their Families Bill

Immigration and Absorption Minister Landver (Y.B.) explained the amendment would create a technical change over which court will listen to appeals that deal with the implementation of the bill.

MK Molla slammed the bill and warned that this bill is meant to make the appeal process more difficult. He said this is a bad bill and disagreed with the Supreme Court’s call for this change.

MK Eichler supported the bill. He went on to slam MK Yoel Hasson for repeatedly inciting against the ultra-orthodox.

The bill passed its first reading 12-2 and was sent to the Immigration Committee.

Amendment to the Foundations of the Budget Bill

MK Levin (Likud) explained the amendment would force the Speaker to release a report on budget execution of the Knesset every six months. He noted the government doesn’t have a position on the issue.

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

Amendment to the Pre-Military Schools Bill

MK Orlev (J.H.) explained the amendment would increase the funding in the ministry of education budget section of the bill from NIS 33 to 49 million annually. He added that the entire budget will come from the Education Ministry, instead of the current situation where the Defense Ministry pays 50%. He noted that in most years the Defense Ministry didn’t pay their half of the money and the pre-military schools received only half of their money.

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

The Wednesday session lasted about eight hours. Thirteen bills were discussed. One bill was advanced after passing its preliminary reading, three were defeated, six were withdrawn and three were turned into motions in order to avoid defeat. The bill advanced will increase the financial compensation soldiers receive as part of their exit package. The three bills defeated would have given students under the poverty line free university, allowed business owners to go to university as a tax expense and raised the number of hours schools teach traffic safety.

Non-Bills Summary

* Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud), Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) and Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.

* There were eight motions discussed on a wide variety of topics. Seven motions were sent to committee for further discussion by the votes 17-0, 11-0, 8-0, 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 and 6-0. One motion was not voted on.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Civil Service Bill

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) slammed Israel for discriminating against people who don’t have a degree. He said that a degree is important for doctors and lawyers but has nothing to do with most occupations. He said that a person who has experience in a given field should not be overlooked for a person with no experience but has a degree in music. He charged that Israel discriminates against the ultra-orthodox. He explained his amendment would stop giving preference to government job applicants with a non-relevant academic degree and would put them at the same level as someone who doesn’t have a degree. He added that the amendment would also apply to political appointments. He slammed the government for not supporting his bill and said that his party will have to reconsider being a part of a government that discriminates against the ultra-orthodox. He agreed to turn the bill into a motion in order to avoid defeat.

The motion was passed 15-1.

Jerusalem Capital of Israel and the Jewish People Bills

MK Eldad (N.U.) said that Jerusalem has been the capital and heart of the Jewish people for thousands of years. He noted that no foreign conqueror ever declared Jerusalem as its capital. He noted that divided Jerusalem served as Israel’s capital from its establishment until it was reunited in 1967 and since then a united Jerusalem serves as Israel’s capital. He explained the point of this original bill is to tell the foreign countries to stop telling Israel they can’t build in their capital. He expressed hope that this bill will strengthen Jerusalem. He agreed to postpone the vote on the bill in order to give the government more time to come around and support it.

MK Orlev (J.H.) said this bill is important for the Jewish people in the Diaspora. He slammed the Labor party for doing a 180 and opposing the bill, something that hurt the advancement of the bill as a Basic Law. He said this isn’t a political bill but rather a Jewish bill. He agreed to postpone the vote on the bill in order to give the government more time to come around and support it.

Reward for Regular Soldiers and Civilian Volunteers to Ensure their Higher Education Bill

MK Braverman (Labor) explained his original bill would create a fund of a soldier’s yearly wages that will be put towards that soldier’s college tuition. He explained that the year of wages will reflect minimum wage. He compared his bill to former U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt’s G.I. Bill. He suggested this bill will motivate young people to join the army and will even entice the ultra-orthodox to join the army and the Arabs to join the national service. He agreed that the bill’s price tag of two billion shekels is heavy and that is why his bill calls for a gradual process. He warned that prolonging the passing of this bill will lead to youth violence. He said that it is the responsibility of the rich to bail out the poor and they should pay more taxes to fund this bill. He agreed to postpone the vote on the bill in order to give the government more time to come around and support it.

Restricting Unauthorized Religious Activities in the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Police Bill

MK Horowitz (Meretz) said his original bill will prohibit handing out material, prayer services, seminars and all other religious activities by someone who is outside of the army rabbinate in all army bases. He said that the army is not a place to promote religion or secular persecution. He went on to slam the separation of women from men in religious units and the women who are discriminated against and humiliated because they are female. He said that not allowing women to sing in front of men has no place in a democratic state.

Homefront Security Minister Vilnai (Independence) said that unauthorized religious activities by anyone outside the army rabbinate are already illegal and therefore there is no reason for this bill. He said that the army is going to great lengths to increase the number of religious soldiers and told Horowitz not to ruin it. He offered turning the bill into a motion and Horowitz agreed.

The motion passed 12-0.

Amendment to the Students’ Rights Bill

MK Zoabi (Balad) explained her amendment would give every citizen the right to take the matriculation exams free of charge. She stressed that students must be allowed to take their tests and graduate high school free of charge and her bill will accomplish that. She cited court rulings that deemed charging for the tests illegal and said that although the practice was stopped in 2005, this bill will prevent the education ministry from changing their minds in the future.  She agreed to postpone the vote on the bill in order to give the government more time to come around and support it.

Amendment to the Student Health Education Bill

MK Agbaria (Hadash) explained his amendment would force the schools to teach a class on health in middle and high school once a month in order to promote a healthy lifestyle. He agreed to postpone the vote on the bill in order to give the government more time to come around and support it.

Amendment to the Absorption of Discharged Soldiers Bill

MK Matalon (Y.B.) explained his amendment would increase the grant soldiers receive when they are released. He said this bill is a social justice bill and should be supported. He called on the Arabs and ultra-orthodox to at least do national service and complete some sort of duty to their country.

Homefront Security Minister Vilnai expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 28-0 and was sent to the Welfare Committee.

Regulating State Preschool Activity Hours Bill

MK Tiviaev (Kadima) explained his original bill would force all state preschools to be open from 7 AM until 4 PM. He said his bill would go into effect gradually in order to meet its budget requirements. He said the current situation where the preschools get out between 1 PM and 2 PM keeps women out of the workforce or forces them to work part time. He said this bill would help single mothers and allow them to work instead of collect welfare checks. He said in his hometown of Ofakim the unemployment is 12%, well above the 5.3% average. He said that including those on welfare the unemployment rate is 20-25%. He called on the government to get with the socialist program and take the riches of Tel Aviv and bring them to Ofakim.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) opposed the bill but suggested turning the bill into a motion. He said that the government plans on implementing this bill in the near future and therefore there is no reason to pass this bill.

MK Tiviaev agreed to turn the bill into a motion and said that if the government is going to go through with this bill anyways, the government should be supporting the bill.

The motion was passed 25-1. MK Sheetrit announced he voted from the wrong seat by mistake.

Amendment to the State Education Bill

MK Bielski (Kadima) said that 31,263 Israelis have died in traffic accidents, which is more than in all of Israel’s wars. He revealed that Israel has the highest child death rate in traffic accidents among the democratic nations. He noted that 70% of children ages 0-4 died because they weren’t wearing a seat belt. He explained his amendment would force the schools to set educational goals on teaching about road safety. He slammed the decision to lower the driving age to 16 years and 9 months and said that having more young drivers is not the answer. He said Israeli road rage makes the State look like a third world country.

Education Minister Sa’ar praised the idea in principle but opposed the bill on the grounds that there are already many hours dedicated to road safety in Israeli schools. He revealed that the number of hours Israelis learn about road safety in schools is among the highest around the globe. He asked if he should take away hours of Math and English for more road safety. He answered that it probably wouldn’t help.

MK Bielski said that the hours are not enough if Israel’s children die on a percentage basis more than any other democratic nation and the hours must be increased.

The bill was defeated 23-44.

Amendment to the Council for Higher Education Bill

MK Molla (Kadima) explained that his amendment would exempt students whose families live below the poverty line from university tuition. He said that if the government opposes this bill they are throwing away socialism for piggish capitalism.

Education Minister Sa’ar opposed the bill on the grounds that there is a fund of NIS 102 million for select students who live below the poverty line to go to college. He said that there is no reason to support this bill because for the most part what the bill is trying to create already exists.

MK Molla blasted Sa’ar and called him a liar and said that even if some students are helped, the fund must be expanded to include everyone.

The bill was defeated 23-40.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) charged that the Trachtenberg committee is a farce and claimed that it was a fixed game that Netanyahu puppeteered. Hasson heckled Netanyahu and told him to listen up. Netanyahu responded that Hasson should learn some manners. Netanyahu told him that when he was a young MK he spoke with respect to the Prime Ministers and never attacked them. Netanyahu suggested that Hasson learn from his experience. Hasson responded that Netanyahu is wrong and that he is allowed to criticize him on such matters. He went on to speak about his bill. He explained his amendment would recognize the individual learning costs of business owners as a tax expense credit. He stated the bill will assist small business owners and help them learn more about their profession. He noted that this tax credit can only be used every five years.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) opposed the bill because there are certain circumstances where the bill already exists in law.

The bill was defeated 13-32.

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

MK Adatto (Kadima) explained her amendment would increase the penalty for assaulting a social worker to five years. She said that social workers are on the front lines and should receive more protection than regular people. She agreed to postpone the vote for a week to give the government more time to come around.