Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Last Wednesday’s session lasted about eight hours. Ten bills were discussed. One bill was advanced after passing its preliminary reading, and five were defeated. One bill was turned into a motion, and three bills postponed their votes in order not to be defeated. The bill advanced will present veterans who work in preferred jobs for six months following their military service a one-time grant of NIS 9,000. Among the bills defeated were a bill that would have eliminated the VAT on water, a bill that would have mandated daycare for all businesses with over 100 employees and a bill that would have created a holding center for illegal immigrants.

Non-Bills Summary

* Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.), Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.), Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) and Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.

* Eight motions were discussed on various topics of the day. Six motions went for further discussion by committee after votes of 10-0, 11-1, 10-0, 10-0, 5-0 and 4-0. Two motions were not voted on.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

Social Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) explained the amendment would grant a one-time grant of NIS 9,000 to a veteran who completed six months of work in a preferred job. He added that reserve duty will not be counted against the six months.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 26-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Increasing the Labor Force Participation Rate and Reducing Social Gaps Bill

MK Zoabi (Balad) explained her amendment would change the definition of employee under Israeli law by covering part time employees of family businesses under the bill. She added that the bill would raise the salary of employees who don’t make enough to be taxed. She said the gap between the rich and poor is growing every day and this bill will work towards trying to reverse that trend.

Speaker Rivlin slammed the bill and said that the outcome would be everyone would create a family business and would force the government to pay money to over half of the country, leading to a financial meltdown. He warned that this would give incentive to people to hire their children to a bogus family business that doesn’t make money and force the government to pay them.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) expressed government opposition to the bill. He cited Speaker Rivlin’s arguments as reasons to oppose the bill. He noted the government does give money to single mothers who don’t meet the minimum tax bracket and the government is working on a bill that would include all working mothers.

The bill was defeated 9-42.

Compensation for Soldiers in Regular Service Bill

MK Peretz (Labor) presented his bill with the signatures of 54 MKs. He announced his bill would provide a monthly salary of NIS 2,500 to male soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces for their third year of service and to female soldiers for their second year of service. He called on the Arabs and ultra-orthodox MKs to vote for the bill to relieve their guilt for not serving in the army.

Homefront Defense Minister Vilnai (Independence) said it makes sense that 54 MKs signed on to the bill and agreed to the bill in principle. He expressed concern that due to the planned cuts to the Defense Ministry this bill doesn’t have the funding to be implemented. He revealed that Defense Minister Barak is working on a similar bill to this one and asked MK Peretz to delay the vote on his bill until the government brings Barak’s bill.

MK Ezra (Kadima) said there is no reason not to advance this bill now if the government agrees with it.

Homefront Defense Minister Vilnai asked MK Ezra and MK Peretz to trust him.

MK Peretz agreed to postpone the vote on the bill and to wait for the government bill.

Motion/Amendment to the Local Authorities Bill

MK Teviaev (Kadima) explained his amendment would provide a 5% municipal property tax reduction for parents of soldiers and policemen who reside with them.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) explained he has created a committee that is examining the current system of tax reductions and exemptions, as well as examining which new tax breaks should be implemented. He expressed support for this bill in principle and asked MK Teviaev to turn the bill into a motion in order to give time for the committee to announce its decisions.

MK Teviaev agreed to turn the bill into a motion.

The motion passed 50-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Value Added Tax Bill

MK Tirosh (Kadima) explained her amendment would eliminate the value added tax on water and sewer services. She slammed the government for the VAT on water and said it must be repealed, stressing that the new tax is wrong.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen was heckled by MK Gafni (U.T.J.), and Cohen called on him to act like a coalition member, to behave and to stop screaming at him. He revealed there was a VAT on water before this government was formed and the cost of repealing the VAT on water is over NIS 220 million annually. He called on Tirosh to turn the bill into a motion.

MK Tirosh asked Speaker Rivlin to school her on the consequences of turning the bill into a motion. After the explanation she decided to go ahead with the bill. She blasted the regressive tax and told Cohen that the ultra-orthodox have the largest families and use the most water.

The bill was defeated 27-39.

Daycare in the Workplace Bill

MK Molla (Kadima) explained his original bill would force all large businesses with over 100 employees to provide a daycare system at the workplace. He called on the government to provide mothers social justice. He stressed the cost of the daycare would be on the business and not the government.

Agriculture Minister Noked (Independence) confessed that she wrote this bill in the previous term and Molla stole it. She revealed that she was trying to convince the government to support the bill and they asked for a two month extension. She said it is hard for her to vote against a bill she agrees with but if Molla refuses to wait two months the government will have to oppose it.

MK Molla refused to postpone the vote and slammed the government for attempting to buy time by pushing off votes on important bills.

The bill was defeated 24-33.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

MK Zuaretz (Kadima) explained her amendment would grant tax credits and deductions for child care expenses to women who work. She said this bill will create equality of the sexes in the work place and provide social justice. She asked why courses and furniture receive tax deductions and child care doesn’t.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen explained tax credits are deductions for expenses that are directly involved with a business. He stressed child care is not a direct expense of a business and because of that the government is against the bill. He noted that the bill would reduce the overall tax credits and deductions of married women compared to non-married women. He concluded the bill would cost at least NIS 2 billion annually and the country can’t afford it.

The bill was defeated 23-30.

Establishing a Holding Center for Infiltrators Bill

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) recalled how his original bill for building a fence on the Egyptian border was defeated and then proposed by the government and passed almost a year later. He cited Interior Ministry statistics that illegal immigration stood at a total of 1,070 in 2006. He went on to note that 5,005 entered Israel in 2007; 8,698 in 2008; 14,735 in 2010; and 12,407 through October of 2011. He said according to the ministry statistics a total of 46,382 documented illegal immigrants live in Israel and that does not count those who are not documented. He explained this bill would create a holding center for the illegal immigrant infiltrators that would keep them out of Israeli cities. He noted that the government decided to create a holding center about a year ago and since then due to lack of funding the government has not broken ground. He stated that Tel Aviv is witnessing a slow hostile takeover of its neighborhoods and Eilat is not far behind. He revealed that the Arab MKs support his bill because they are furious that these illegal immigrants from Africa have taken the Israeli Arabs’ jobs in various sectors of Israel’s working class economy, especially in the hotel sector. He asked the government where the Jewish refugees of Tel Aviv will be absorbed. He answered that the Sudanese mafia is kicking Jews out of their homes and the Jews have nowhere to go. He warned that five neighborhoods have been conquered by the illegals and in a few years they will reach Ramat Aviv.

Minister Begin (Likud) noted that once again Katzeleh has brought an important bill up for a vote that the government agrees with but can’t support. He agreed with Katzeleh’s analysis and his assertion that the holding center must be built as soon as possible. He stressed that not only is Katzeleh right but he is the most knowledgeable MK on this subject. He concluded that the government will prioritize the holding center but can’t support this bill because they can’t fund it at the current time.

MK Katzeleh thanked Minster Begin for the kind words. He stressed that he can’t withdraw this bill because the government has their priorities messed up and this bill is important.

The bill was defeated 5-30.

Amendment to the Income Support Bill

MK Gilon (Meretz) stated that he is sickened to see so many great bills voted down by this terrible government. He called on the government to provide Israelis with their entitled social rights. He explained his amendment would extend the entitlement benefits to those who are eligible for income support. He stated this bill will encourage people to work and not live off of social security. He noted that under certain circumstances a worker who receives a raise of one shekel can lose his income support which results in him taking less money home overall. He agreed to pull the bill and vote on it at a later date at the request of the government.

Promote Affordable Housing Bill

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained his original bill would place limits and create a cap on the price for selling and renting small apartments. He said the housing crisis has hurt the poor more than anyone else and smaller apartments of fewer than 55 square meters should not be as expensive as they are. He warned that if the government doesn’t solve the crisis with massive solutions the country could fall. He said if the government refuses to build housing themselves then it must heavily regulate the private market. He agreed to postpone the vote to a later date at the request of the government.

Tuesday’s session lasted less than three and a half hours. No bills were discussed. Four motions were discussed, and three of them were sent for further discussion in committee. The Knesset marked ten years since the passing of the Israeli Film Law and also marked Conservation and Protection of the Dead Sea Day.

Non-Bills Summary

* 17 MKs spoke during the one minute speech segment. The main topic was the state of Israel’s economy. Others gave brief speeches on the Israeli Film Law or the Dead Sea because they had to leave early.

* A motion marking a decade since the passing of the Israeli Film Law was discussed by Speaker Rivlin, seven MKs and Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud). The motion was not voted on.

* A motion marking the Conservation and Protection of the Dead Sea Day was discussed by eight MKs and Tourism Minister Misezhnikov (Y.B.). The motion was sent for further discussion in the Interior Committee following a show of hands.

* A motion on the concern about the future of the humanities in higher education institutions was discussed by MK Orlev (J.H.) and Education Minister Sa’ar. The motion was sent for further discussion in the Education Committee following a show of hands.

* A motion on the junior faculty strike at universities was discussed by MK Khenin (Hadash) and Education Minister Sa’ar. The motion was sent to the Education Committee by a vote of 5-0.

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

* Education Minister Sa’ar answered a query at the end of the session.

Monday’s session lasted less than six hours. Four bills were discussed. Three bills were advanced, two after passing their preliminary readings and one after passing its first reading. One bill became law after passing its third reading. A majority of the session was spent discussing the controversial Grunis Bill, which paves the way for Justice Grunis to serve as the next Supreme Court President. A bill which changes the selection of the bar association’s two candidates to the judicial appointment committee was also advanced.

Non-Bills Summary

* Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu’s attempt to make a political takeover of the judicial system and press in the State of Israel’ was defeated 38-51 with one MK abstaining and 30 MKs not present.

* Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘Attacks on democracy and freedom of expression of journalists’ was defeated 38-55 with two MKs abstaining and 25 MKs not present.

* Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The Netanyahu government policy is dangerous towards its citizens and peoples of the region’ was defeated 32-59 with 29 MKs not present.

* Speaker Rivlin gave a warm speech welcoming the Kenyan Prime Minister to the Knesset.

* Speaker Rivlin eulogized former MKs Yerachmiel Assa, who served in the third Knesset, and Moshe Wertman, who served in the sixth through the eighth Knessets, both of whom passed away during the summer recess.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Broadcasting Authority Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained the bill will exempt the 2,400 lone soldiers, as well as all senior citizens, from paying the television tax from 2012 until 2016.

The bill passed its second reading 45-0.

The bill passed its third reading 44-0.

MK Miller (Y.B.) thanked the Knesset for approving his bill and Chairman Shama for his work in the committee.

Amendment to the Courts Bill

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) explained his amendment would remove the minimum three year term as a condition of being selected as the Supreme Court President. He noted that all of the Supreme Court Justices are secular Ashkenazi Jews who live in Tel Aviv. MK Shai and MK Molla heckled the speech, and Deputy Speaker Vaknin restored order. Katzeleh stressed that Israelis are upset that the Supreme Court doesn’t reflect Israeli society but rather just a small minority. He asked why in other western countries like the United States the judges are elected or appointed by a President but in Israel it is in a cigar filled room that our judges are appointed without any vetting process or hearings. He noted that Labor Court President Adler retired early in order to allow Justice Arad to automatically replace him. He said this bill will put an end to the seniority clause which has corrupted the judges.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) slammed the bill and called it a personal bill tailor fitted to pave the way for Justice Grunis to become Supreme Court President. He blasted the bill as a politically motivated bill that shows the government is against the courts, the media, academia and culture. He slammed the government for trying to pave the way for other conservative judges to reach the bench by changing the makeup of the judicial selection committee.

MK Gal-On (Meretz) labeled the bill as a “price tag” Jewish terrorist act against the Supreme Court and democracy. She slammed the latest wave of legislation as anti-democratic and slammed the government for using their majority against the minority. She questioned if this is hunting season and if the next judge appointed will be a settler.

MK Swaid (Hadash) slammed the bill as anti-democratic and an attempt at a hostile take over of the Supreme Court. He said he rejects this attempt to politicize the Supreme Court and the attempt to make the Supreme Court more conservative. He said without a moderate Supreme Court Israel will become a fascist state.

MK Barakeh (Hadash) criticized other bills that he labeled as anti-democratic and racist instead of attacking this particular bill. He warned that Israel is heading towards a fascist dictatorship.

MK Khenin (Hadash) said that all personal bills should be rejected. He warned that many other bills are worse than this bill and Israel is losing its democracy and embracing racism. He warned that the government has declared war on democracy and the problem is not the right-wing back benchers but rather the Prime Minister. He admitted the best defense is a good offense and that is what Netanyahu is doing in order to save his seat. He warned the drizzling is over and the rain clouds are above us. He warned the government that Israel wants social justice. He said that democracy has made it a dangerous time for the government and now the government is making it a dangerous time for democracy.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) said he doesn’t understand why Likud, which claims they are going to be in power for years, are in such a rush to pass all of these crazy bills. He said it would seem the way Likud is acting that they are about to call new elections since they are in such a hurry. He called on Israelis to band together and fight the most extreme government Israel has ever seen.

MK El-Sana (R.T.) stated that many were silent when the government went out against the Arabs since they never thought the government would go against them. He said since then the government has gone against the left and now against the Supreme Court and the press. He slammed MK Rotem and MK Ariel as extremists who are trying to push through conservative judges. He asked who will protect Israeli Arabs when the Supreme Court is taken over by the right.

MK Tibi (R.T.) mocked the achievement Foreign Minister Liberman boasted about when Liberman praising the 14 countries that supported Israel in the U.N. Tibi stressed that the world is still against Israel and noted that even Micronesia didn’t vote with Israel and instead chose to leave the room. He asked if the next candidate for the Supreme Court will be settler Itamar Ben-Gvir.

MK Agbaria (Hadash) cited a study that 48.3% of Arabs are found guilty compared to 33.6% of Jews and that Arabs receive longer sentences for the same crimes compared to Jews. He concluded that the court is already on life support and this bill will take the court off of life support and towards apartheid.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) recalled that 21 years ago today he heard that an Al-Qaeda terrorist assassinated Rabbi Kahane. He recalled several cases where the Supreme Court ruled against Rabbi Kahane and ruled for terrorists such as Balad. Deputy Speaker Barakeh (Hadash) threw Ben Ari off the podium for what he called spreading lies. MK Ben Ari claimed freedom of expression and Barakeh told him to go sit down.

MK Shai (Kadima) slammed Katzeleh for calling all of the Supreme Court Justices secular leftist Tel Aviv Ashkenazim. He said that Israelis live together and Israelis support the Supreme Court. He called the National Union racists who are trying to divide the nation not unite it. He expressed his opposition to the bill.

MK Herzog (Labor) asked the public to wake up and oppose this government. He said he is proud of the Supreme Court and they should remain the strongest branch of government. He warned Katzeleh that circles are round and this bill will one day hurt the settlers.

MK Bar-On (Kadima) said that this bill isn’t such a big deal and that removing the seniority isn’t such a bad thing. He added that Justice Grunis is a great judge and he doesn’t see such a big difference between him and other justices. He said the problem is the atmosphere surrounding the bill and that is why he will vote against it. He slammed the government for choosing the small sectors of the coalition instead of looking out for the mainstream.

MK Molla (Kadima) slammed the government for supporting MK Ariel over MK Bar-On in the judicial selection committee and for appointing Justice Minister Neeman, who wasn’t democratically elected. He said the government is against the Supreme Court, the press and human rights groups. He called on Israelis to call for social justice and call for the resignation of Justice Minister Neeman.

MK Adatto (Kadima) said that the coalition is extending their boundaries since Netanyahu is allowing them to propose more extremist bills. She slammed the long list of bills she disagrees with because she sees them as anti-democratic.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) said he doesn’t understand why a democracy would allow its courts to interfere with running the country and that the courts should focus on judging laws. He said that the Supreme Court has no place ruling on large issues like the Shalit deal or small issues like drivers licenses. He expressed his support for the bill.

MK Ariel (N.U.) said that there are 130 candidates for the current openings in the Supreme Court and he said that we should wait before we judge if certain justices are good or bad. He stressed that time tells all.

MK Absesadze (Kadima) called this another black week for Israeli democracy, which started in the Knesset, which is supposed to be the backbone of Israeli democracy. She said Katzeleh is acting like whoever isn’t with him is against him and that is wrong. She slammed the government for killing democracy, lynching democracy and practicing McCarthyism. She stated the first step is delegitimazing the left and the next step is making the left illegal.

MK Braverman (Labor) said that many around the world are asking if democracy will survive the latest economic struggles. He recalled how former Senator McCarthy almost killed America’s democracy and how Putin is killing Russia’s democracy. He said the government is outlawing certain leftist groups and leftist media in order to save themselves. He said that giving up on Israel’s democracy for the sake of the Likud primaries is a dangerous move and Netanyahu should stand up against it.

MK Itzik (Kadima) slammed the government for not having one achievement. She blasted Deputy Prime Minister Ya’alon for not acting like a true Kibbutznik and standing up against these anti-democratic bills. She warned that these are bills that can’t be repealed and something needs to be done before the damage is real.

MK Orbach (J.H.) told the opposition to stop overreacting. He said these are two bills that are not so important and that Israel’s democracy will not fall because of these bills. He said that he hasn’t found a difference between Likud and Kadima. He expressed support for the bill and said Justice Grunis is more qualified than Justice Naor.

MK Cabel (Labor) charged that Katzeleh was sent by the government to propose this bill. He recalled trying to fix it so that Barak would win the Labor leadership race and now Barak is hanging out with the Likud. He warned Katzeleh that he might regret this bill and that Grunis might turn out to be more left than Naor.

MK Ben Simon (Labor) said this bill isn’t dangerous or important but, together with other bills that have been passed over the last term, makes everything smell bad. He warned that the government is trying to change the face of Israeli society and is trying to move Israel further away from peace.

MK Teviaev (Kadima) said he recalls growing up in a dictatorship where when someone goes into a court it doesn’t matter if they are guilty, what matters is what the system thinks of you. He said he respects Katzeleh and doesn’t understand the motivation behind the bill. He asked if Likud is Danny Danon or Michael Eitan.

MK Danon (Likud) said the opposition wants the coalition to take sleeping pills and to ignore the agenda that the government was elected on. He recalled when the opposition kicked Jews out of their homes in the disengagement. He asked why that wasn’t anti-democratic. He said that if the opposition doesn’t like the bills they are welcome to repeal them when they are the majority.

MK Whbee (Kadima) recalled Katzeleh regretting supporting Netanyahu for Prime Minister. He said now Katzeleh is being duped by Netanyahu and has no clue what is going on.

MK Zeev (Shas) said that the opposition has forgotten what Zionism is. He stressed the amendment changes the situation back to how it was before 2007. He said this seniority experiment of the last four years has been a failure. He asked if a conservative justice will really bring an end to democracy. He answered that conservatives are not anti-democratic. He stated that no country has a “friend brings a friend” policy for the Supreme Court except Israel; rather, the other democracies either elect justices or have public hearings. He asked why Justice Grunis has been allowed to be a judge but isn’t allowed to be president. He answered it is probably because Grunis doesn’t follow the leftist elitist agenda and not because he isn’t qualified.

MK Elkin (Likud) said this amendment will repeal the 2007 amendment that was passed through by then Kadima Justice Minister Friedmann. He asked how this is an anti-democratic bill if it will return the Supreme Court to how it was for decades. He asked why the same MKs who voted against the 2007 amendment are now voting against repealing it. He answered the opposition cares more about the sponsor and less about what the bill actually says. He called on the opposition to stop acting like a yoyo and to take principled positions.

National Infrastructure Minister Landau (Y.B.) expressed government support for the bill and stressed the Supreme Court needs a root canal. He asked why it was okay for 1950 or 2006 but it isn’t okay for 2011. He went on to criticize the Supreme Court for about twenty minutes and pointed out certain cases of hypocrisies, particularly surrounding the disengagement. He concluded that the tycoons are the leftists in the media.

MK Katzeleh said he is hurt that they are calling the bill the Grunis Bill because it is called the Katzeleh Bill. He said that he thought of it himself and should get credit for it. He noted that there are 700,000 settlers and 400,000 Tel Avivans, yet there are no Supreme Court Justices from Judea and Samaria and all of the justices are from Tel Aviv. He concluded that in Judea and Samaria there is a 6% growth in Jewish population while in Tel Aviv there is a 5% growth of illegal gentile immigrants.

The bill passed its first reading 52-35 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Selection of Bar Association Representatives to Judicial Appointment Committees Bill

MK Ilatov (Y.B.) explained his amendment would have the democratically elected Bar Association Chairman and the leader of the opposition of the Bar Association be selected as the two lawyer representatives to the judicial appointment committee. He rejected claims the bill is anti-democratic since the bill allows the democratically elected chairman and the opposition leader to both be represented.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) expressed government support for the bill. He defended the bill as super democratic and not personal.

MK Bar-On stressed that Justice Grunis is as qualified as Justice Naor but this bill is the problematic one. He warned the government is picking winners and losers in the bar association and is interfering in internal bar association matters which threatens the separation of the branches of government. He said that the six or seven largest law firms have between 170 and 200 lawyers and they have started a hostile takeover of the bar association thanks to the government redrawing the districts. He concluded by blaming Justice Minister Neeman as the mastermind behind the whole mess.

Speaker Rivlin announced he won’t vote on this bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 50-35 with two MKs abstaining and Speaker Rivlin not voting. It was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill further.

Following the vote Speaker Rivlin threw out several MKs who chose to wave black flags to protest the result of the vote.

Amendment to the Banking Bill

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) explained his amendment is a customer service upgrade. He said it would oblige the bank to give notice to the customer before executing transactions or changing the terms of his bank account.

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

The bill passed its preliminary reading 17-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

The Wednesday session was split into two. The morning session lasted less than three hours. The afternoon special session in memory of former Prime Minister Rabin was less than an hour. Five bills were discussed and advanced after passing their preliminary readings. The bills advanced force the Finance Minister to report to the Knesset every six months on the implementation of the budget; allow workers to come to terms with their employers on working odd hours or from home; provide security guards protection from both heat and cold; expand the definition of protecting against discrimination in the work place; and grant fathers the right to take time off to spend with their wife and child for at least a week following the birth.

Non-Bills Summary

* Housing Minister Atias (Shas), Social Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) and Homefront Defense Minister Vilnai (Independence) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.

* A motion on the ‘Strike that is disabling the economy and demands for direct employment of contract workers’ was discussed by nine MKs and Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas).

* House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced that MK Shamalov Berkovich (Kadima) will replace MK Abesadze (Kadima) in the Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee. He added that MK Aflalo (Kadima) will replace MK Tirosh (Kadima) and MK Gal-On (Meretz) will replace MK Hermesh (Kadima) in the Funds Committee. He noted that MK Hermesh will replace Gal-On and MK Levin (Likud) will replace MK Danon (Likud) in the Law, Justice and Constitution Committee.

* A Special session was held in memory of former Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin, marking sixteen years since his assassination. Speaker Rivlin, Deputy Prime Minister Ya’alon (Likud), Opposition Leader Livni, Defense Minister Barak (Independence) and Labor Chairwoman Yachimovich all gave warm speeches about the fallen leader.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Foundations of the Budget Bill

MK Levin (Likud) explained his amendment would force the Finance Minister to report to the Knesset every six months on the execution and implementation of the Knesset budget.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 26-0 and was sent to the House Committee.

Amendment to the Work and Rest Hours Bill

MK Ilatov (Y.B.) explained his amendment would allow certain workers flexibility in which hours they work and allow certain workers to work from home. He promised to advance the bill in line with the government’s wishes.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 27-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Posts for Security Guard Workers Bill

MK Ben Simon (Labor) explained his amendment would require employers to provide their security guards shade from the sun and the heat. He added that the employer will have to offer a heated post during the cold winter months.

Industry and Trade Minister Simhon (Independence) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 30-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Employment Services Bill

MK Shai (Kadima) explained his amendment would expand the prohibition of discrimination in the work place to include both the 1959 version of the bill and the 1988 version. He explained that both versions have their own merits and merging the two will protect most Israeli populations from discrimination in the work place.

Industry and Trade Minister Simhon expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 37-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Sick Pay Bill

MK Ariel (N.U.) explained his amendment would present equal rights to fathers. He said that fathers are discriminated against and don’t receive paternity leave. He added that the amendment would allow a father to take seven days of absence for girls and eights days for boys.

Industry and Trade Minister Simhon expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 29-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

The second Tuesday session of the winter season lasted about three and a half hours. Three bills were discussed and advanced after passing their first readings. They were pro-women bills, advanced on International Premature Birth Awareness Day. Like the previous Tuesday’s session, and most Tuesdays, the agenda was short and attendance was light.

Non-Bills Summary

* 18 MKs and Minister Livnat (Likud) participated in the one minute speech segment of the day. Most MKs used the speech to give their opinions on new legislation regarding the courts.

* Speaker Rivlin gave a speech on International Premature Birth Awareness Day. Seven MKs and Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) gave speeches on a motion honoring the day. It was approved for further discussion with a 12-0 vote.

* The Knesset fixed a technical error in the budget with a 10-0 vote.

* A motion on the Former Mossad chief’s words against the ultra-Orthodox was discussed by four MKs and Deputy Health Minister Litzman. It was approved for further discussion with a 6-0 vote.

* Deputy Health Minister Litzman answered three queries at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Employment of Women Bill

MK Levi-Abekasis (Y.B.) explained that her amendment would extend maternity leave for an additional month in cases where the newborn requires hospitalization for over a month after birth. She concluded that this bill was in the spirit of Premature Birth Awareness Day.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman asked for a delay in the vote in order to come to certain compromises with Levi-Abekasis. After delaying the vote for over an hour Litzman gave support for the bill later in the session.

The bill passed its first reading 11-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendments to the Guarantee of Payment Bill

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained that his amendment would repeal the bill that exempts men from paying child support or alimony for time the spouse or children spend abroad. He stressed it is unacceptable for a man to get out of paying his court ordered payments because his ex-wife and children no longer live in the country. He called the bill a social justice bill.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) expressed his support for the bill and stressed this bill is in line with Torah values.

MK Eldad (N.U.) expressed support for the bill. He stated the government is trying to break up homes in the physical sense in Judea and Samaria. He called on the government not to break up families or homes.

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

MK Kirshenbaum (Y.B.) said her bill is identical to Khenin’s bill and she calls on the Knesset to approve it. She said the addition in her bill is that women who receive social security and other government benefits will now be eligible to receive those benefits abroad. She said that over 20,000 women in Israel do not receive child support and some need to seek employment elsewhere to feed their children. She noted the bill only covers those receiving less than NIS 5,013 monthly from the government.

MK Eichler used his time to eulogize a rabbi who passed away earlier that day.

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