Jeremy's Knesset Insider

The first session of June lasted about six hours. Five bills were discussed. Two bills were advance after passing in their preliminary readings, two were defeated and one bill was pulled to avoid defeat. The two bills that were advanced will require warranty stickers on items that would ultimately require repair and give soldiers who complete their mandatory service an academic aid package for learning in Jerusalem. The latter bill was a fitting one to celebrate Jerusalem Day.

Non-Bills Summary

• National Infrastructure Minister Landau (Y.B.), Interior Minister Yishai (Shas), Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) and Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) answered urgent queries.
• Speaker Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Livni gave speeches marking Jerusalem Day.
• Five motions were discussed on the hot topics of the day. Two were not voted on. The other three were sent for further discussion in the Knesset committees by votes of 16-0, 5-1 and 10-0.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Consumer Protection Bill

MK Itzik (Kadima) explained that her amendment would require a warranty responsibility sticker on all items that require repair. She noted that many people lose the warranty slip that they are supposed to mail in. As a result the companies don’t honor the warranties and the consumer is required to pay for any repairs even if it is within the warranty period. She hoped that the sticker on the product will help people not to lose their warranties and protect the consumers.

The government did not send a representative to express their opinion.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 30-0 and was sent to the House Committee to decide which committee should discuss the bill.

Amendment to the Veterans Absorption Bill

MK Orlev (J.H.) explained that his amendment would include Jerusalem in the aid package that veterans receive after finishing their mandatory military service. He explained the aid package would include discounts in enrollment to all recognized Jerusalem academic institutions. He noted that a similar bill passed last year does the same thing for Judea, Samaria, the Galil, the Negev and the Golan. He noted that his bill’s aid package does not include housing due to the 12% increase in Jerusalem real estate prices over the last year. He concluded by wishing the soldiers in the gallery a happy Jerusalem Day.

Deputy Minister Gamliel (Likud) wished everyone a happy Jerusalem Day and quoted passages from the bible. She praised the bill and expressed government support. She hoped that this bill will give a shot in the arm to Jerusalem’s academia, assist in decreasing the emigration of Jerusalem’s secular population and community and raise the number of academics in the city, which she said would ultimately reduce the number living below the poverty level. She stated the budget for the bill will be NIS 25 million. She praised Jerusalem Mayor Barkat for breaking the Guinness record for biggest flag. She incorrectly stated that Students Day was last week when, in fact, Students Day is the same day as Jerusalem Day.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 50-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Social Housing in Central Israel Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained that her amendment would require the country to purchase 5% of every housing project in the center of the country. The bill requires the country to designate that 5% for public housing. She regretted that co-sponsor MK Regev (Likud) was bullied into not showing up for the vote. She expressed hope that this would shorten the list of the tens of thousands of families who are on the waiting list for public housing. She blasted former Prime Minister Barak and the Labor-Meretz government of 1999, which ended the public housing project that was only recently revived by selling off most of the public houses the country owned.

Housing and Construction Minister Atias (Shas) expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that the bill goes too far. He noted that in order to qualify for public housing the combined income of the household must be below NIS 5,400 per month. He stated that about 2,000 families are in line for public housing and not the 10,000 that Solodkin spoke about. He stressed that he spent NIS 400 million in 2010 on public housing and that he has NIS 150 million to spend on purchasing public housing units in 2011 and 2012. He added that he is creating 5,000 rooms in hostels to serve as temporary housing until the public housing units are ready. He mentioned that he provides NIS 1.3 billion to subsidize part of the rent for over 137,000 families and that each family receives between NIS 660 and NIS 2,200 a month.

MK Solodkin slammed Atias and said that the 2,000 in line are Israelis. She said 60,000 immigrants are waiting in line according to the aliyah ministry.

The bill was defeated 23-39.

Amendment to the Family Courts Bill

MK Horowitz (Meretz) explained that his amendment would require the family courts to treat same sex families the same as other families and to hear all their cases. He said that the current situation is that sometimes you fall on a judge who hears the case and sometimes the judge throws it out. He demanded the courts deal with gay couples’ cases regarding inheritance, alimony and violence within their family unit. He asked the Knesset recognize all gay marriages, including his own. He confessed that the courts hear 90% of the cases but asked that all cases be heard, including those in which one of the partners denies his homosexuality or suddenly becomes straight in order to get out of the responsibility towards his partner.

Minister Begin noted that 18 years ago there was no such thing as a family court and that it is very much still a work in progress. He said that 90% isn’t bad and that the government is against forcing a person to remain gay if he decides that he wants to change his sexual preference. He stated that one day it might be 100% of the cases but this won’t be the government to do that.

MK Horowitz thanked Begin for not avoiding the answer and expressed hope that one day this bill will pass in the Knesset. He said that he was encouraged by Begin not saying anything negative. He stated that he is proudly openly gay and that he is proud to represent his community, which makes up 15% of the population if you include gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals. He promised that his community will fight inside the Knesset and outside of it and the community will be heard by everyone very soon.

The bill was defeated 12-34.

Jubilee Grant for Teachers of Immigrants Bill

MK Miller (Y.B.) explained that his amendment would give immigrant teachers the tenure (salary 13) that Israeli teachers receive after 25 years of service regardless of whether those years were in Israel or outside of it. He noted there are fewer than 5,000 teachers who would be added to the salary 13 teachers, a total cost of less than NIS 25 million. He explained that in the current situation a computer teacher with 15 years of experience immigrates to the country and chooses hi-tech because he doesn’t want to start from scratch in the education system and in hi-tech he will receive more money. He revealed that he was informed by the government that they would oppose this bill if brought for a vote.  He reached a deal with them that he would pull the bill and negotiate with the government for two weeks about changing parts of it.

The last May session lasted about two and a half hours. No bills were discussed. Two motions were discussed and one of them was sent to a committee for further exploration. A technical change was implemented to an existing law, and the MKs continued the bashing of Defense Minister Barak from the previous day in the one-minute speech segment. The European guests for the session were warned ahead of time that attendance is low on Tuesdays, particular on days without any bills. Although Tuesday was the eve of Jerusalem Day it was not celebrated or marked in the plenum by Deputy Speaker Tibi (R.T.), who closed the session.

Non-Bills Summary

• 21 MKs participated in the one-minute speech segment of the day. Venting over Defense Minister Barak was the main topic of the speeches.
• Speaker Rivlin and Science and Technology Committee Chairman Sheetrit (Kadima) gave warm speeches greeting the European R & D delegation of the “Eureka” project.
• A motion marking a century of settlement in the Jezreel Valley in the Galil was marked by Speaker Rivlin, Agriculture Minister Noked (Independence) and five MKs. No vote was taken.
• A motion on the rise of eggs and milk prices was discussed by six MKs and Agriculture Minister Noked. The motion was sent for further discussion in the Finance Committee by a 12-0 vote.
• Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Cohen (Shas) explained his committee’s decision to correct technical issues in the Environmental Protection Law regarding “powers of inspection and enforcement.” It was approved 7-0.

The session on Monday, May 30, lasted about five hours. Nine bills were discussed. Three bills became law after passing their third readings, and six bills were advanced after passing their first readings. The three new laws are part of the court registrars’ reform that allows them to try most civil cases instead of judges. A bill about army radio turned into a bashing session of Defense Minister Barak, with those who support the minister defending him. A bill that would raise the minimum wage was advanced, as was a bill that would allow policemen to search any citizen in entertainment areas without probable cause.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu is leading Israel into diplomatic isolation’ was defeated 37-45 with one MK abstaining and 37 MKs not present for the vote.
• Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The political situation in light of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech in Congress’ was defeated 34-47 with one MK abstaining and 38 MKs not present for the vote.
• Ra’am-Ta’al’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu government buries the peace process and increases the rift with Israel’s Arab population’ was defeated 30-49 with 41 MKs not present for the vote.
• National Union’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The Prime Minister’s U.S. Congress speech’ was defeated 27-46 with four MKs abstaining and 43 MKs not present for the vote.
• Hadash’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The Netanyahu government’s refusal of peace’ was defeated 30-49 with 41 MKs not present for the vote.
• A special session was held in memory of former Minister and MK Ze’ev Boim (Kadima), who passed away at the age of 75 towards the end of the winter session. Speaker Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Opposition Leader Livni and MK Mofaz (Kadima) eulogized him.
• A government request to transfer certain authorities and responsibilities from Housing Minister Atias (Shas) to Religious Affairs Minister Margi (Shas) passed 14-3.
• Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch brought his office’s official responses to seven queries but did not read them out because the seven MKs were not present.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Execution Bill

Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained that the amendment would divide the country’s registrars into those who can be given the power of judging in certain cases and those who cannot.

The bill passed its second reading 24-0.

The bill passed its third reading 27-0.

Amendment to the Courts Bill

Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem explained that the amendment would allow court registrars the ability to hear virtually all civil cases of less than NIS 50,000 instead of judges, with a few exceptions.

The bill passed its second reading 18-0.

The bill passed its third reading 21-0.

Amendment to the Execution Bill

Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem explained that the amendment would regulate the rules of hiring and firing registrars and determine their rights as employees.

The bill passed its second reading 20-0.

The bill passed its third reading 19-0.

Amendment to the Israel Defense Forces Army Radio Broadcasts Bill

Homefront Defense Minister Vilnai (Independence) explained that the amendment would extend the temporary provision that allows army radio to broadcast commercials and receive money for those commercials.

MK Whbee (Kadima) blasted Defense Minister Barak for firing the head of army radio for political reasons and accused him of acting like the Syrian dictatorship, shutting up those who speak about against the government.

MK Khenin (Hadash) also blasted Minister Barak for firing the director of army radio and for doing it through the press.  He slammed Barak for having the lowest attendance of all MKs in the Knesset’s plenary sessions and committee meetings. He suggested Barak is using army radio as his own station and routinely fires people who don’t fall in line with him.

MK Zeev (Shas) blasted the transformation of army radio from an educational station to a political station. He slammed Barak for the way he handled the firing of the head of his station and called on Barak to apologize.

MK Molla (Kadima) said that Barak messed up the Camp David talks in 2000, brought upon Israel the second intifada, split Labor and now has carried out a hostile takeover of army radio.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) blasted Barak for firing the head of army radio and specifically for how Barak handled the situation.

MK Bar-On (Kadima) defended Barak and said he is allowed to do what he feels he needs to do.

MK Schneller (Kadima) recalled his time working with army radio and their fight for road safety. He supported the bill and said it was time for this bill to become law and to get rid of the temporary clause that needs to be extended every few years.

MK Wilf (Independence) defended Barak and mocked those who spoke against him. She suggested having an hour each day to discuss Barak, stating that he could use the publicity.

MK Gal-On (Meretz) blasted Barak from his time as General of the Army to Defense Minister. She added that Barak hasn’t submitted one bill to the Knesset the entire term and keeps sending Vilnai to do his dirty work.

MK Shai (Kadima) praised and supported the bill. He said that the commercials are like water to the radio station and the more the merrier.

MK Cabel (Labor) said that Barak makes all the MKs feel pathetic and worthless by refusing to attend Knesset committees and plenary sessions.

MK Yacimovich (Labor) recalled the five years she spent as a journalist on army radio. She stated that all of Israel’s media is owned by private interests accept for public broadcasting channels and army radio. She praised and supported the bill but admitted she didn’t feel it was enough.

Homefront Defense Minister Vilnai defended the bill and Barak. He asked the MKs why they didn’t defend army radio when he was in charge of it.

The bill passed its first reading 28-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Temporary Order to the Minimum Wage Bill

Homefront Defense Minister Vilnai explained that the bill would raise the minimum wage immediately from NIS 3,835.18 per month to NIS 3,890.25. He said another raise would take place in July to NIS 4,100 and in October 2012 it would go up to NIS 4,300.

MK Barakeh (Hadash) said that raising the minimum wage is important but that this bill is not doing enough. He recalled a bill that he submitted a few weeks ago that would accomplish the same thing in a communist manner by raising the minimum wage by 60% and placing a ceiling on Israeli salaries. He blasted the unions for settling for socialist solutions and called their leaders traitors.

MK Khenin said the problem is that people who receive minimum wage are living under the poverty line. He said that the situation isn’t acceptable and the country needs to step in. He called for the government to support Barakeh’s bill.

MK Molla said this bill is too little too late. He slammed the indirect taxes that have killed poor people who died waiting for the minimum wage to be raised. He said that the middle class is almost gone.

MK Whbee called the low minimum wage a joke and asked what they are supposed to buy with the money they have left after rent and bills. He noted a third of the government workers make minimum wage. He said the problem isn’t with money but with the priority of where to spend the money.

The bill passed its first reading 16-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Companies Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) explained that the amendment regulates government owned companies and how they are operated based on six main principles.

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

Amendment to the Public Service Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch explained that the amendment would institute various restrictions for law enforcement personnel on divulging information on government authorities or intelligence gathering after their retirement. He noted that the restrictions are for all defense establishment jobs and will be enforced for three years after retirement.

The bill passed its first reading 11-0 and was sent to the House Committee to decide which committee will discuss the bill further.

Amendment to the Powers to Protect Public Safety Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch explained the amendment would broaden police officers’ authority to physically search individuals in entertainment and nightlife areas for weapons. He added this is part of his plan for violence prevention at Israeli nightclubs.

MK Khenin opposed the bill and attacked the broadening of police powers. He blasted the clause of the bill that would allow a policeman to search any citizen without any suspicion or reason. He warned this bill is an extreme measure that turns all Israeli citizens into suspects and has no place in a democratic country.

MK Molla said he supports the minister’s attempt to prevent violence in Israeli nightclubs but opposes the bill.  He warned that the bill goes too far and it degrades citizens who frequent sporting events and restaurants.  He expressed fear that this bill will allow the police to do things that they have no right to do.

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch responded that the current situation is out of control and sometimes extreme measures are necessary in order to maintain law and order.

The bill passed its first reading 11-2 and was sent to the House Committee to decide which committee will discuss the bill further.

Amendment to the Higher Education Council Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch explained his amendment would allow the remuneration and reimbursement of expenses to members of the Higher Education Council and its various committees.

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

Wednesday’s session lasted about eight and a half hours. Ten bills were discussed. Six bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings, three were turned into motions to avoid defeat and one was defeated. The highlight of the day was the Knesset extending the state of emergency that Israel has faced since its creation for another year. The bill that received the most buzz was one that would allow the reelection of the Chief Rabbi of Israel to multiple ten-year terms. Two bills advanced dealt with increasing those eligible for the Polio Compensation Bill, and another bill dealt with giving men sanctions for not granting a woman a divorce. The other two bills that were advanced included one that would shorten the time students have to wait to receive their degree benefits and one that would widen the eligibility criteria for businesses entitled to financial compensation from the State after being forced to relocate as a result of the disengagement from Gaza and northern Samaria.

Non-Bills Summary

• Defense Security Minister Vilnai (Independence), Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.), Industry and Trade Minister Simhon (Independence) and Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) answered urgent queries at the start of the session.
• The recommendation of the Joint Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and Constitution, Law and Justice Committee to renew the declared state of emergency for another year was discussed by 13 MKs and approved 28-11.
• Seven motions were discussed and sent for further discussion to various committees by the votes 13-0, 12-0, 5-0, 6-0, 19-0, 7-0 and 6-0.
• Deputy Education Minister Moses (U.T.J.) answered two queries at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance

MK Shemtov (Y.B.) explained that her amendment would allow college graduates to receive their academic credit and pay raise immediately after they graduate or after they complete their required internship. She stated that until now graduates would have to wait for the following tax year to receive their benefits and those who have internships sometimes wait two years.

MK Tibi (R.T.) got up to speak because the government gave up their right to give their opinion. He started blasting Netanyahu’s U.S. Congress speech and was heckled by several MKs, most notably MK Orlev (J.H.), who Tibi called an embarrassment to the Knesset. Deputy Speaker Levy-Abekasis kept order during Tibi’s three minute speech. Tibi blasted Netanyahu and his coalition partners.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 32-0 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

Two Amendments to the Polio Compensation Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained that his amendment would allow those who were diagnosed with polio abroad or Israelis who were diagnosed with polio before 1948 would receive the full rights and compensation as indicated in the Polio Compensation Bill. He said this bill would help about 600 polio patients who have discriminated against.

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained his similar amendment would include giving the full compensation package to all polio patients who are citizens of and living in Israel.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) expressed government support for both bills.

The first bill passed its preliminary reading 34-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

The second bill passed its preliminary reading 36-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendment to the Disengagement Plan Implementation Bill

MK Elkin (Likud) explained this was the third amendment to broaden the eligibility for compensation under the bill. He announced this amendment would compensate those who lost their businesses in the disengagement.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 34-1 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

Motion/Amendment to the Israel National Toll Road Bill

MK Tirosh (Kadima) explained that her amendment would force the Route 6 providers to erect electronic information signs about traffic congestion in places where the driver can take an alternate route. She gave an example of such a sign that tells drivers whether they should take route 1 or route 443 based on traffic reports. She announced the bill also asks for the publication of a phone number that drivers could call and get traffic reports for Route 6. A third addition to the bill would be to exempt drivers from paying the toll fee if they were not warned that Route 6 was congested. Speaker Rivlin agreed with Tirosh and said that if someone pays for a swift service and doesn’t receive it they should not have to pay for it and should be compensated.

Science and Technology Minister Hershkowitz (J.H.) announced the bill would cost too much money but the government agrees with it in principle. He explained that the government needs to pay the difference if the Route 6 owners don’t make a set amount of money. He suggested turning the bill into a motion. Tirosh agreed.

The motion passed 43-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Fuel Tax Bill

MK Molla (Kadima) explained that his amendment would increase the control and supervision over the fuel tax rate. He accused Coalition Chairman Elkin (Likud) of Soviet communism for not allowing his co-sponsor MK Regev (Likud) to vote for their bill. He slammed Netanyahu and his government for increasing indirect taxes and called it a bad government.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) stated that the bill asks the Funds Committee to authorize the taxes that the Finance Committee approves. He noted that certain taxes go through the Finance Committee and certain taxes go through the Funds Committee and it would lower the status of both committees if taxes needed to be approved by both.  Cohen announced that Molla was a member of the Finance Committee and wondered why he would want to reduce his power and authority to influence such a matter.

MK Molla ignored Cohen and blasted the government for five minutes. He ended by saying the government was raping its citizens.

MK Elkin blasted Molla for calling him a Soviet communist and wished that Molla and Israel never learn what Soviet communism really is. Molla did not stay in the plenum for Elkin’s rebuttal.

The bill was defeated 30-42.

Establishing the State Revenue Fund for the Distribution of Fuel Taxes Bill/Motion

MK Gilon (Meretz) blasted Likud and Kadima for not adopting his socialist financial plans. He said if the government is going to have indirect taxes they should develop a revenue fund for the purpose of public transportation. He stated he believes in free public transportation but for this capitalistic government he believes this is an adequate alternative. He noted that in England 80% of its citizens commute to work by public transportation, compared to 20% in Israel. He called on the government to support his bill or adopt his socialist financial outlook.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen expressed government opposition to the bill and asked Gilon to turn the bill into a motion. Gilon agreed.

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

Amendment to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Bill

MK Aflalo (Kadima) explained his amendment would allow candidates to present themselves for re-election as the Chief Rabbi of Israel and end the current one-term limit in place.

Environment Minister Erdan expressed government support for the bill.  He said the term limit was enacted in the 1980’s and stated that the 150-member body that chooses the Chief Rabbi has no objection to reverting back to pre-1980s.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) labeled the bill the ‘Amar and Metzger Bill’ because it will take place for the current elections and not from the next elections. He charged that this is a Kadima-Likud-Labor agreement to re-elect Rabbis that are comfortable for them. He noted that a term is ten years and it is crazy to believe that someone can hold a public position for twenty years after being elected only twice. He said that by taking away the term limit a person would be able to hold that position indefinitely. He rejected claims that Rabbi Amar is liberal and called him a moderate at best.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 43-6 and was sent to the Law Committee.

Ban on Disconnecting Electricity and Water Services to Educational Institutions Bill/Motion

MK Khenin explained his bill would prevent the disconnecting of electricity or plumbing to all educational institutions even if they have never paid their utility bills. He stressed that children’s health is among the most important things and it is impossible for them to be without working toilets, drinking water and lights. He expressed his communist views that no one should have to pay for utilities and they should be free.

National Infrastructure Minister Landau (Likud) said he agreed with the bill in principle but stressed it wasn’t practical because the educational institutions will use the bill as a way to get out of paying their utilities without fear they will be disconnected. He stated that everyone needs to pay for each service they receive and that nothing is free.

MK Orlev (J.H.) noted that hospitals are exempt from being disconnected and said that schools should also join that list.

Minister Landau suggested the bill be turned into a motion, and Khenin agreed.

The motion passed 18-0 and was sent to the House Committee to choose the relevant committee for discussion.

Amendment to the Rabbinical Courts Bill

MK Schneller (Kadima) explained his amendment addresses the Rabbinical courts that hold judgments on laws of divorce. He stated that the amendment would help enforce court orders for husbands to give a woman her divorce. He listed the sanctions a person would receive for not giving a woman her divorce within 45 days of a court order: freeze of assets, confiscation of drivers’ license, freezing the sale of property, a court order forbidding him from leaving the country and eventually jail time if none of the above is successful. He noted that the bill allows the man to appeal any of the above punishments to a higher court to be heard within 30 days of his sentence. He expressed hope that this bill would lower the number of men who refuse to give a woman a divorce. He said he fought government opposition to the bill from the Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 13-0 and was sent to the Law Committee.

Tuesday’s session lasted about three hours. Three bills were discussed and advanced after passing their first readings. A motion on Appreciation Day for the reserve soldiers was moving. The Modeling Industry Weight Limit Bill was among three bills that were advanced as Netanyahu was giving his Congress speech.

Non-Bills Summary

• 23 MKs spoke during the one minute speech segment of the day. The main topic was the MKs’ analysis of Netanyahu’s AIPAC speech and what the MKs thought Netanyahu should say later that evening in his speech to the U.S. Congress.
• Speaker Rivlin greeted a delegation of the European Parliament dialogue team.
• A motion on Appreciation Day for the reserve soldiers was discussed by Speaker Rivlin, Minister and former General Peled (Likud), Strategic Affairs Minister and former IDF Chief of Staff Ya’alon (Likud), Defense Minister and former IDF Chief of Staff Barak (Independence), MK and former IDF Spokeswoman Regev (Likud), MK and former IDF Chief of Staff Mofaz (Kadima), reserve officer Cabel (Labor), MK Orbach (J.H.) and injured war hero and deputy platoon commander from the 1973 Yom Kippur War Katzeleh (N.U.).  All of the speeches involved thanking the reserve soldiers for their service.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Joint Investment Trust Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained his amendment would require the publishing of joint investment trust prospectuses in the national newspapers.

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

Amendment to the Propaganda Elections Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained his amendment would allow election advertising on regional radio for regional council campaigns. He noted that until now only national radio could air election advertisements and this will allow the regional radio stations to increase their income.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) noted that he was talking to an empty room because Netanyahu was giving his Congress speech. He slammed Obama and his recent speech, which he said would put Israel into a cage. He blasted Netanyahu for giving up too much in his AIPAC speech and suggested Bibi was selling the country away.

MK Zeev (Shas) supported the bill. He blasted MK Molla (Kadima) for slandering the city rabbis in a morning committee meeting and told Molla not to slander a position that he doesn’t know. He said that city rabbis act as psychologists, doctors, confidants and more, and they deserve a pay raise.

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

Modeling Industry Weight Limit Bill

MK Adatto (Kadima) reported that every year another 1,500 Israeli teenagers are diagnosed with eating disorders. She cited university studies that link eating disorders with media, mostly female models in commercials, billboards and magazines. She announced that it starts as a diet and ends in death. She explained that her bill would prohibit skinny girls with a BMI of less than 18.5 from modeling. She added that the bill would prohibit publishing photoshopped pictures that aren’t labeled as such. Deputy Speaker Maklev (U.T.J.) praised Adatto for her bill.

MK Ben Ari praised and supported what he labeled an important bill. He blasted Netanyahu for agreeing to a Palestinian state and told the story of child terror victims who were murdered by the “moderate” Fatah party.

MK Zeev praised the bill and spoke about the dangers of eating disorders that can lead to death. He connected it to Ben Ari’s speech and said that he hoped Netanyahu doesn’t give Israel anorexia by giving away parts of Israel to the Palestinians.

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