Jeremy's Knesset Insider

The second Monday session of the winter season lasted less than five hours. 17 bills were discussed. Eight bills became law after passing their third readings, and nine bills were advanced after passing their first readings. The government defeated two no-confidence motions.

The headlines of the day were a new law that will enable soldiers to receive their first year of college free in Jerusalem and a bill that will prevent the scheduled increase of the women’s retirement age to 67.

Non-Bills Summary:

* Speaker Rivlin gave a speech marking 67 years since the execution of Hannah Senesh and her friends.

* Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu’s refusal to respond to demand of a new social budget submission for 2012’ was defeated 37-54 with 29 MKs not present.

* Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The government is punishing Israeli society through expansion of settlements, trampling of the social protests and wanton policy management’ was defeated 33-57 with 30 MKs not present.

* Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem explained his committee found a technical error in a bill and asked the Knesset to fix it. It was approved 14-0.

* House Committee Chairman Levin announced that MK Braverman (Labor) will replace MK Yacimovich (Labor) in the Funds Committee.

* The Knesset applied a continuity clause to bring back a bill that was not finished from the previous term by a 7-0 vote.

Bills Summary

Temporary Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni (U.T.J.) explained the amendment would remove certain tax breaks for short term foreign investors, especially in bond trading and certain fund markets. Gafni added Israel is looking for long term investors and will not allow short term investors to make a quick buck in Israel thanks to a few legal loopholes. Gafni concluded that the situation will be reexamined after two years and if this amendment is not extended after two years the tax breaks will go back into effect.

The bill passed its second reading 49-0.

The bill passed its third reading 34-0.

Amendment to the Execution Bill

Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained that the amendment would increase the authority of government repossession registrars and allow them to access other government databases in order to learn more about the citizen from whom they are authorized to collect.

The bill passed its second reading 29-1 with MK Ilatov (Y.B.) announcing he opposed the bill by mistake.

The bill passed its third reading 30-0.

Amendment to the Collection Center Fines, Fees and Expenses Bill

Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem explained the amendment would increase sanctions on citizens who haven’t paid court ordered fines of over NIS 5,000 for over a year. He said among the new sanctions would be revoking their passport, prohibiting them from leaving the country, revoking their drivers license and more.

The bill passed its second reading 26-1.

The bill passed its third reading 23-0.

Amendment to the Israel Antiquities Authority Bill

Culture and Sport Minister Livnat (Likud) announced the amendment would allow more people to qualify for serving on the 16-member Israel Antiquities Committee Board and as chairman of the committee. She said that the current law qualifies only three of the Israel Antiquities Society members to serve as chairman and this mafia style law must be amended to allow other candidates to qualify.

MK Schneller (Kadima) called the Israel Antiquities Authority one of the most important authorities in Israel and expressed his support for the bill.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) quoted a study that only ten of the 220 professors in Israel’s universities are Sephardic Jews. He said that all elitist entities should show some diversity and expressed his support for the bill.
MK Khenin (Hadash) expressed his support for Speaker Rivlin’s position of delaying the vote on controversial bills for a week to allow the Arab MKs to celebrate their holiday and not require them to come into work to vote. He slammed Kadima, Labor and Meretz for inciting against the Speaker and for ignoring the importance of Arab holidays. He went on to charge that this bill is politically motivated. He slammed the bill for including historians in the qualifications for serving in the committee and said the committee is a place for archeologists only.

The bill passed its first reading 30-1 and was sent to the Culture Committee.

Amendment to the Consumer Protection Bill

Industry and Trade Minister Simhon (Independence) explained the amendment would raise first time fines on businesses for violations of the Consumer Protection Bill to between NIS 25,000-50,000 as well as additional sanctions.

The bill passed its first reading 24-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Employment Services Bill

Industry and Trade Minister Simhon explained his amendment would merge the authority of the defunct position of Labor Minister into the authority of the Industry and Trade Minister. He added the amendment would update the regulations on the Employment Service Council that advises the minister on certain issues.

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

Temporary Order Amendment to the Social Security Bill

Social Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) explained that this amendment is a pilot program in two locations that would have a nurse assigned to elderly people over 80 years old for doctor checkups. He expressed hope that the nurses would fight for the elderly people’s rights.

MK Khenin praised Kahlon and said that the Social Welfare Minister is working hard for the elderly and for holocaust survivors.

MK Zeev (Shas) praised Kahlon and said this bill reflects Torah values.
The bill passed its first reading 17-0 and was sent to the Welfare Committee.

Amendment to the Prison Ordinance Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch explained the employment of prisoners is an important part of keeping prisoners focused on their rehabilitation. He said this amendment will regulate the employment of prisoners and hopefully will lead to an increase of prisoners who work during their imprisonment.

MK Khenin praised Aharonovitch and the bill. He called on the minister to examine implementing certain private bills that he has proposed in the past into this bill.

MK Ben Ari praised the bill but criticized that the prisoners make somewhere between NIS 7 to 9 a day. He noted certain prisoners are not eligible for employment and that should be changed. He added that even in Sudan child laborers earn at least two dollars a day.

MK Bielski (Kadima) expressed support for the bill. He slammed Bet Shemesh for passing a city ordinance that prohibits hiring former convicts to work within Bet Shemesh city limits and called on Aharonovitch to overturn it.

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

Amendment to the Security Service Bill

Transportation Minister Katz explained the amendment would enable the army to draft someone for a month before allowing him to see a doctor that can release him from service. He added the amendment will prohibit counting time a soldier spends in jail or AWOL as part of his mandatory service.

The bill passed its first reading 16-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee should discuss the bill further.

Amendment to the Local Authorities Elections Bill

MK Ezra (Kadima) explained the amendment would require the ballot officer to approve a voter being accompanied by another person as a result of an illness or disability. He stated the current situation of allowing anybody to bring another person with them into the ballot box results in voter intimidation.

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

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem explained the amendment would increase the punishment of a hit and run to 14 years in jail.

MK Bielski asked the Knesset to support his bill and said it is time to send a message to those who hit and run that it is unacceptable.

MK Matalon (Y.B.) asked the Knesset to support his bill, which was merged with Bielski’s bill, and hoped this would put an end to hit and runs.

The bill passed its second reading 19-0.

The bill passed its third reading 20-0.

Amendment to the Knesset Bill

House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) explained the amendment would allow the House Committee to determine if a suspended MK should be receiving his MK salary or not.

The bill passed its second reading 12-0.

The bill passed its third reading 12-0.

Amendment to the Ports Ordinance Bill

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni explained the amendment would limit the personal liability of custom agents in seaports and increase their authority.

The bill passed its second reading 15-0.

The bill passed its third reading 15-0.

MK Levin thanked the Knesset for approving his bill into law.

Amendment to the Corporate Fund Managers and Portfolio Managers Bill

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni explained the amendment will increase the supervision over corporate fund managers and portfolio managers who have over 50 clients or a combined investment of over NIS 5 billion.

The bill passed its second reading 13-0.

The bill passed its third reading 13-0.

Amendment to the Retirement Age Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) explained his amendment would cancel the gradual increase of the female retirement age to 67. He stressed that the female retirement age should stay at 62 and that there is no reason to increase it to match the male retirement age.

MK Gilon (Meretz) expressed support for Katz and the bill. His phone started ringing while he was on the podium and he needed a Knesset guard’s assistance to shut it off.

MK Elkin (Likud) praised the bill. He noted that he tried to pass this bill last term when he was a Kadima MK but former Finance Minister Hirchson (Kadima) refused to support it.

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

Temporary Provision Amendment to the Telecommunications Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) stated that Israel has four regular news broadcasts on Channels 1, 2, 10 and 99. He explained that there have been local news broadcasts on cable and satellite as part of a temporary program and this amendment will extend that program’s funding for another year.

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

Amendment to the Jerusalem Development Authority Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the amendment would present veterans who study in Jerusalem with a NIS 9,500 grant that should cover their first year of college tuition. He added that Hebrew University will not be included under the bill. He noted that the bill covers any soldier who finished his service from 2010 and later.

The bill passed its second reading 13-0.

The bill passed its third reading 15-0.

Deputy Minister Gamliel thanked the Knesset for approving her bill. She recalled her previous bill that extended the same benefits to students in the Galil, Negev, Ashkelon, Judea and Samaria. She expressed hope that eventually all veterans will be eligible to receive their first year of college free.

MK Orlev (J.H.) thanked the Knesset for approving his bill, which was merged with Gamliel’s bill. He wished Gamliel, who is nine months pregnant, an easy birth.

The first Wednesday of the winter session lasted about nine hours. 23 bills were discussed. Eight bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings, nine bills were defeated and six votes were postponed in order to avoid defeat.

The jam-packed day had a little bit of everything: a special session for a fallen minister; a heated exchange between the opposition and coalition; a series of socialist bills; and Y.B. MKs Miller and Rotem violating coalition discipline.

Non-Bills Summary

* Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) answered an urgent query to start the session.

* A special session in memory of former Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze’evi, of blessed memory, was held on the tenth anniversary of his assasination. Speaker Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Opposition Leader Livni and MK Eldad, a former Moledet MK, all gave very warm speeches marking the occasion.

* Three of the four motions of the day were passed and sent for further discussion in various committees. ‘The rising cost of living and rising electricity prices’ passed 19-0; ‘20% of Israeli households are under the care of social services’ passed 7-0; and ‘Women in the public sphere’ passed 4-0. A motion on the Foreign Minister’s remarks against the Chairman of the PA was defeated 3-6.

* Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon (Y.B.) answered three queries later in the session.

Bills Summary

Authorized Engineers and Technicians Bill

MK Haim Katz (Likud) explained his original bill would regulate the occupations of engineers and technicians under Israeli law.
Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 19-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Academic Training Council for Industry Education Bill

MK Miller (Y.B.) explained his original bill would promote the education of industry-related occupations through an academic training council to which the government would give certain powers.

Education Minister Sa’ar explained the government is not taking an official position on the bill and that coalition MKs may vote as they see fit. He stated that Miller’s bill, should it pass, should be discussed with MK Katz’s bill and merged into one. He warned MK Miller not to try to keep the bills separate.

MK Miller stressed the government has no place in determining which committee will discuss the bill and therefore he will be able to avoid merging the bill.

Coalition Chairman Elkin (Likud) warned Miller that he doesn’t have the votes in the House Committee to pull off his plan.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 24-5 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill further, following MK Miller’s decision to ignore Sa’ar and Elkin’s warnings.

Amendment to the Consumer Protection Bill

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) explained the amendment would grant the consumer reimbursement of bank fees for excess debit transactions on ongoing payments at the date of the return. He added that he withdrew the second part of the bill at the government’s request.

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

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

Amendment to the Liability of State Bill

MK Orlev (J.H.) explained his amendment would prohibit a person from an enemy country from suing the State of Israel.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill.

MK Khenin (Hadash) opposed the bill on the grounds that the State is liable for crimes committed against its enemies and removing that liability will harm Israel’s democracy. He added this will push Israel’s enemies to sue Israel in international court because the Israeli courts will be closed to them. He said it is hypocritical for Israel to refuse the legitimacy of international courts and to close the door of Israeli courts.

MK Orlev said this bill is a western democratic bill that was passed in England, Canada and the United States. He said Israel should stop acting like a sucker and stressed terrorists have no place suing Israel.

The amendment passed its preliminary reading 36-15 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Bill

MK Shama (Likud) explained his amendment would prohibit the cell phone companies from charging a cancellation fee when a costumer switches providers. Shama said that the new zero rate would match that of television and satellite providers and that all telecommunication companies are created equal. He stressed that a costumer should not be penalized for upgrading to a better provider.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill.

The amendment passed its preliminary reading 33-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Two Amendments to the Parties Bill

MK Hotovely (Likud) explained that her amendment would prohibit Israeli citizens from belonging to more than one political party. She expressed hope that this will help clean up Israeli politics and stop people from trying to hijack rival parties.

MK Orlev explained his amendment would place sanctions on people who belong to more than one party. He said it is impossible for a democracy to allow its citizens to belong to more than one party and impact the primaries of multiple parties.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bills and stressed it is in Israel’s interest that these bills pass.

The first bill passed 48-0 and the second bill passed 50-0.

The bills were merged and sent to the Justice Committee.

Three Basic Laws: Social Rights Bill

MK Gal-On (Meretz) said that the Israeli public sobered up this summer and rejected capitalism. She stated Israelis want social justice and socialism. She slammed the rich and privileged. She blasted the Trachtenberg Commission. She attacked the private market, calling them the source of the problem and not the solution. She stressed the solution is a new Basic Law that will protect Israelis’ social rights. She charged the government isn’t spending Israeli taxes on Israelis; rather, they are spending it on settlers and settlements. She told the government that she expects Israel to provide the kind of social rights South Africa gives their citizens.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) explained his Basic Law is basically the same as Gal-On’s Basic Law. He said this bill is the first of a series of socialist bills that are being brought up for a vote today in the spirit of the tent protests. He slammed the Knesset for not passing a Basic Law since 1992. He said the tent protesters are demanding social justice and this Basic Law will provide social justice.

MK Peretz (Labor) said the problem is Israel doesn’t have a constitution. He said that the decision was made to write the constitution chapter by chapter as Basic Laws. He expressed hope that this Basic Law, which he first proposed in 1997, will be approved today. He slammed former Ministers Lapid (Shinui) and Deri (Shas) for torpedoing his past attempts at passing this bill.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) slammed the Basic Laws that were just presented. He said the government is listening to the cries of the people and does not want to limit its power to combat Israel’s financial problems. He suggested postponing the vote on the Basic Laws in order for the government to convince the religious parties to support its own version of a Basic Law. The MKs rejected Erdan’s offer and Erdan instructed the coalition to defeat the bill.

MK Molla (Kadima) said he is sick of the government postponing votes on important bills. He slammed the government for trying to buy time. Speaker Rivlin blasted the MKs for making the bill political instead of accepting Erdan’s offer.

MK Gilon (Meretz) said Israel should be a socialist state. He said capitalism is against both the bible and the declaration of independence. He said what is great about this generation is that it is asking what is the country doing for me, instead of asking what they are supposed to do for their country.

MK Peretz said this is one of the most important bills he has ever signed. He praised Netanyahu for releasing Shalit and asked him to vote with him today.

The first bill was defeated 45-58.

The second bill was defeated 41-53.

The third bill was defeated 44-54.

Basic Law: The Right to Housing Bill

MK Khenin said the housing crisis caused the tent revolution from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat. He slammed the government for privatizing Israel’s land and for limiting public housing. He said that a house is not a privilege and his Basic Law would grant every Israeli citizen the right to a house. He said the government is responsible for housing all of its citizens. He slammed the government for prioritizing settlement roads over public housing. He called for social justice.

Justice Minister Neeman slammed Khenin for not submitting the Basic Law for the government’s approval and instead submitting it to the Knesset for his own political motivations. Neeman hinted he might have supported it and found the budget for it. He opposed the bill on the grounds that speeches don’t solve problems and that this was the first time this term an MK decided to bypass the government on a bill.

MK Khenin rejected Neeman’s argument and said it would have been a waste of time to wait for the government’s position on a bill they would oppose no matter what.

The bill was defeated 40-54.

Amendment to the Value Added Tax Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained his amendment would allow young couples to buy their first apartment VAT-free if it is a new apartment that costs less than a million and a half shekels. He slammed the government for not doing more for young couples and rejected hecklers who asked why he didn’t propose this bill last term when he was the Finance Minister.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) slammed Sheetrit for submitting bills when he is in the opposition that he defeated when he was in the coalition. MK Yoel Hasson heckled Cohen and was called to order by Deputy Speaker Akunis. Cohen added that there is no VAT on second-hand apartments and this bill could raise the demand for new apartments which would raise the housing prices even higher. He noted that the cost of the bill is NIS 1.4 billion per year. He suggested postponing the bill for two months or changing it to a motion. Sheetrit declined.

The bill was defeated 32-44.

Property Tax Reductions for Students Bill

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) accused Deputy Speaker Akunis (Likud) of prolonging the vote on the previous bill in order to allow more coalition MKs to enter the room and defeat the bill. Kadima’s MKs heckled Akunis. Akunis denied the charges and demanded Hasson apologize. Pandemonium broke out and MKs from the opposition and coalition stood up and started screaming for seven straight minutes. Speaker Rivlin came in and from the side microphone demanded that the opposition regain order. Hasson slammed the coalition for playing dirty tricks.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) noted that MK Hasson didn’t present a bill and instead spent ten minutes screaming at Deputy Speaker Akunis. Yishai confessed he agreed to the bill in principle but budget restraints force him to oppose the bill. He revealed that he put together a committee to examine phasing in this bill slowly. He asked Hasson to postpone the vote on the bill for two months and give his committee time to find solutions. MK Hasson accepted postponing the bill for two months.

Amendment to the Planning and Building Bill

MK Edery (Kadima) explained his amendment would require the government to set aside a percentage of all residential projects for small apartments (70-80 square meters). He called on the government to bring their own version if they don’t like his.

Interior Minister Yishai said that Edery’s speech touched him and he agrees with him in principle. He explained the problem is that mayors don’t agree to small apartments and would reject any new residential project that came with small apartments attached. He said that he is working on new protocols that are very similar to Edery’s bill and asked him to postpone the vote on the bill in order to see if the new protocols are implemented. MK Edery agreed to wait two months to see if the minister’s protocols are implemented.

Amendment to the Housing Loan for Eligible Veterans Bill

MK Plesner (Kadima) said his amendment would allow veterans to be eligible for government housing loans and mortgages for building their first home.

Environment Minister Erdan said the government can’t meet the budget restraint of this bill and therefore is against it. He noted Israelis are in good shape compared to Europe and mentioned in Spain fifty percent of young people are unemployed.

MK Plesner responded to Erdan that if the government opposes this bill they are voting against one of the Trachtenberg Commission’s findings. He slammed the current situation in which religious Israelis receive more benefits than secular Israelis.

The bill was defeated 23-46.

Amendment to the Rent and Lending Bill

MK Molla presented, as he typically does every six months, his amendment that would limit raising rent. He said the capitalistic market has brought upon Israelis crazy prices and said government regulation on rent is the solution.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that this bill will cause investors to stop renting out their apartments. He warned the courts are tied up in so many cases that this bill would crash the courts. He stressed that overall this would hurt the landlord which would end up hurting the renter. He warned that trying to regulate the free market further could exacerbate the real estate crisis. He recalled the British Mandate regulations on rent, which made it almost impossible for Jews to rent apartments. He concluded that the government has rejected this bill before but is willing to turn the bill into a motion. Molla rejected the offer.

The bill was defeated 29-39.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained her amendment would change the qualifying period for students to receive government maternity benefits. She stated the current situation makes it very difficult for students to qualify because they haven’t been in the workforce long enough to qualify for certain privileges. She added that single mothers would receive additional privileges under the bill. She called on the government to get with the socialist program. She agreed to withdraw the bill and postpone the vote to try to lobby government support.

Perpetuating the Memory of the Victims of the Massacre in Kafr Qasim Bill

MK Khenin explained his bill is proposed every year during the week before the massacre of Kafr Qasim, which occurred 55 years ago, in order to memorialize the victims.

MK Barakeh (Hadash) called on Israel to take responsibility for the massacre and to educate every child in Israel of the racist murders of Israeli Arabs in 1956.

Deputy Education Minister Moses (U.T.J.) noted that this bill has been defeated every year for three consecutive terms and this year will be no different. He said that the Knesset can’t tell the Education Minister what to put in the curriculum and the government has no reason to fund NGOs that teach the subject because the government doesn’t fund NGOs.

MK Agbaria (Hadash) slammed the formal response from Moses and called on the government to take responsibility for the massacre. He slammed Israel as a racist country and Israelis as racist people.

The bill was defeated 8-33. MK Akunis announced he voted for the bill by mistake.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

MK Bibi (Kadima) slammed Deputy Akunis for his behavior earlier in the session. He explained his amendment would make the time veterans spend in reserve duty not count toward the veterans’ two years of preferred work. He said that he agreed to postpone the vote on the bill for a week in order to allow the government time to examine the bill a little longer.

Prohibiting a Concession Agreement on Territory with Totalitarian Regime Countries Bill

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) warned that peace cannot be achieved with enemies and our peace with Egypt is disappearing after only 30 years. He noted that people who spoke out against the Shalit deal were silenced or lynched by the media. He explained his bill prohibits Israel from giving land to any country that doesn’t have more than one political party. He asked if a cold peace of 30 years is worth giving away our oil fields in the Sinai.

Environment Minister Erdan said it is impossible to give land to Syria when their totalitarian regime is about to fall since there won’t be peace and it would harm Israel’s security. He said this bill would harm Israel internationally. He said since there is no land for peace deal on the horizon it isn’t worth the fall out from our allies and, therefore, the government is against it for now.

MK Eldad (N.U.) noted that many in Egypt claim the peace deal with Israel is not valid since it was signed by a dictator and was not the will of the people. He said this is one of the most logical bills to hit the Knesset floor and should be approved.

The bill was defeated 4-16. Coalition MK Rotem (Y.B.) chose to break with the coalition position and voted for the bill.

Amendment to the Housing Loans Bill

MK Cabel (Labor) praised his socialist bill. He explained his amendment would place an obligation on the State to contact those who are failing on their State-funded mortgages and inform them of their rights. He said this bill doesn’t cost any money, it simply requires the government to inform the citizens who are failing on their mortgages on how they might save their houses according to the laws that are already in place.

Deputy Speaker Vaknin (Shas) called for a vote since a minister was not there to give the government response.

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

Discount for Students in Public Transport Fares Bills

MK Tibi (R.T.) explained his original bill would provide a fifty percent discount on all public transportation for students. He said that the social justice protests have brought this issue into the headlines. He agreed to postpone the vote on his bill for a few weeks in order to receive government support at a later date.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) noted that the opposition’s bills throughout the long day were meant to shake the government into waking up and smelling the social justice in the air. He praised public transportation and claimed his similar bill would reduce the number of cars in Israel. He warned that Israel’s public transportation is among the worst in the western world and most Israelis choose instead to use their cars.  He agreed to postpone the vote on his bill for a few weeks in order to receive government support at a later date.

Tuesday’s session lasted about two and a half hours. No bills were discussed. Although it was only the second day back from the 88-day
recess, most MKs chose not to attend the session. Three motions were discussed. Two were passed, and one was defeated.

 

Non-Bills Summary

* 25 MKs took part in the one minute speech segment of the day.

* House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced the planned changes to the official Knesset member lobbies, which the Knesset
approved 9-0.

* House Committee Chairman Levin announced which disputed bills and motions will be discussed in which committees. It was approved 10-0.

* A motion on the ‘Escalation in the security situation in the south’ was discussed by seven MKs and Minister Erdan (Likud). The motion
passed 7-0 and will be discussed further in a committee.

* A motion on the ‘Attacks, threats and statements on the outgoing commander of Judea and Samaria Division, Brigadier General Nitzan
Alon’ was discussed by six MKs and Minister Erdan. The motion was defeated 4-8.

* A motion on the ‘Shalit release and security implications’ was discussed by three MKs and Minister Erdan. The motion was sent for further discussion in a closed session of the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee by  a vote of 5-0.

Monday’s session, the first day of the fourth winter session, lasted about five and a half hours. Rivlin, Peres, Netanyahu and Livni gave speeches. Four no-confidence motions were defeated, and a bill that would grant soldiers a free year of college in Jerusalem was passed in its first reading. Ambassadors, diplomats, former MKs and the leaders of the tent protesters watched the opening session.

The comedic headline of the day was former Black Panther MK Charlie Bitton getting himself thrown out during President Peres’ speech. Before the session 30 MKs from different parties participated in a group hug.

Non-Bills Summary

* Speaker Rivlin, President Peres, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Livni gave speeches to open up this Knesset’s fourth winter session. The four speakers took different angles on summarizing the Knesset’s 88-day recess. They agreed the main issue facing Israel going forward is Iran.

* Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The Netanyahu government’s failure in meeting the housing demand of the citizens of Israel’ was defeated 29-45 with one MK abstaining.

* Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The government’s failure in the political, economic and social sectors’ was
defeated 24-47 with one MK abstaining.

* Labor’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The failure of the Netanyahu government to reduce social and economic gaps’ was defeated 12-45.

* National Union’s no-confidence titled ‘The demolition of houses of Israeli citizens living in Judea and Samaria’ was defeated 4-47 with 18 MKs abstaining.

* House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced that MK El-Sana (R.T.) and MK Tibi (R.T.) will switch places with El-Sana joining the Funds Committee and Tibi joining the Justice Committee.

Bill Summary

Amendment to the Jerusalem Development Authority Bill

Deputy Minister Gamliel (Likud) explained that the bill would grant every soldier who served his complete service in the I.D.F. or national service their first year of college or university free of charge throughout Jerusalem. She stated this bill is the expansion of a previous February bill that granted a free year to students learning in the Negev, Galil, Ashkelon, Judea and Samaria. She expressed confidence that it would only be a matter of time until she adds another bill that would cover a free year for all university students.

MK Zeev (Shas) expressed his support for the bill. He stressed that Jerusalem is an ultra-orthodox town and resents those who say this bill will help the demographic problem of the city. Zeev went on to slam those who criticize the ultra-orthodox education system.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) expressed his support for the bill. He asked where the thousand new Jerusalem students are supposed to live when the government refuses to build in metropolitan Jerusalem. He slammed the terrible public transportation in Jerusalem which takes two and a half hours to get from one side to the other.

MK Orlev (J.H.) expressed his support for the bill. He said that many young Jerusalem students have left the city and he hopes this bill becomes retroactive to assist those Jerusalem students who stayed. He expressed hope that the bill will be passed before Deputy Minister Gamliel’s pregnancy due date later this month.

MK Ariel (N.U.) expressed his support for the bill. He slammed Netanyahu for taking control of approving all housing in Jerusalem. He said that Jerusalem needs 5,000-6,000 housing units each year and instead Netanyahu only approves a few hundred a year. He asked the Likud ministers why they are staying silent and asked them to speak up to Netanyahu, if not to the public.

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

Last Tuesday’s session lasted about four and a half hours. Three bills were discussed and advanced in their first readings. The motion on the housing crisis was the highlight of the day as the coalition and opposition MKs fired accusations at each other over who was to blame for the housing shortage, as well as what the solutions should be. Most of the one minute speeches were also on the subject of the housing crisis. The highlight bill was the extension of tax benefits to Sderot and the western Negev.
Non-Bills Summary

• 22 MKs spoke during the one minute speech segment of the day. Most spoke about the housing crisis and reactions to the tent city.
• A motion marking twenty years since Operation Shlomo brought Ethiopian Jews to Israel was discussed by Speaker Rivlin, Minister Eitan (Likud), Opposition Leader Livni and Ethiopian MK Molla (Kadima). The motion was meant to be symbolic and was not voted on.
• House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced that MK Azoulay (Shas) replaced MK Amnon Cohen (Shas) in the Funds Committee but MK Cohen will serve as a permanent substitute. He stated that MK Azoulay also replaced MK Michaeli (Shas) in the People’s Petitions Committee. He added that MK Rotem (Y.B.) replaced MK Kirshenbaum (Y.B.) in the House Committee.
• Nine MKs asked Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) queries during a question hour.
• A motion on the Housing Crisis was discussed by five MKs and Housing and Construction Minister Atias (Shas). It passed 11-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine whether the Interior or Funds Committee should discuss it further.
• Transportation Minister Katz answered four additional queries at the end of the session.

 

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Insurance Contracts Bill

Interior Committee Chairman Cohen (Shas) explained the amendment would change the cancellation policy of insurance companies so that a customer needs to pay insurance until the date he cancelled the policy and does not have to pay from that time until the policy is deactivated. He explained that certain insurance companies require certain forms in writing that goes through official mail and the process can take over a week and until now the insurance companies have squeezed additional money from the consumer during the period of time he is not officially covered.

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

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

MK Shemtov (Y.B.) explained the amendment would present college students who are working as interns in their future occupation or specialty with income tax points.

The bill passed its first reading 5-0 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

Temporary Provisions on the Amendment to the Assistance to Sderot and Western Negev Bill

MK Hermesh (Kadima) explained the temporary provisions would extend the tax benefits for residents and business in Sderot and the western Negev. He slammed the government for hesitating to extend the provisions until the latest wave of rockets hit Sderot earlier in the month. He said the extension will be for two years. He called on the government to support the dairy industry in the western Negev and not to import dairy goods.

MK Zeev (Shas) recalled that during election time everyone promises Sderot and Negev residents everything and he is proud that this government is the one to give the residents what they deserve. He told the residents that he will stand with them before September, during September and after September.

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