Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Last Wednesday’s session lasted about eight and a half hours. 10 bills were discussed. Four bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings, four were defeated and two were turned into motions to avoid defeat. The bills advanced included incentives for New Zealand foreign workers, creating a framework for disadvantaged at-risk children and forcing the bank to print all of their statements and documents for the elderly in large print. The two bills turned into motions deal with pension benefits for those who did not work 25 years or averaged fewer than nine months of work each year and a prohibition on sending emails while driving. Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch made another appearance in the Knesset to answer additional urgent queries on the Gilad Farm incident.

Non-Bills Summary

• Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) answered three urgent queries and Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) answered one at the beginning of the session.
• Seven motions on the hot topics of the day were discussed. Six of the motions were passed and sent for further discussions in the various Knesset committees by the votes 6-0, 8-0, 8-0, 4-0, 6-0 and 9-0. One of the motions was not voted on and therefore defeated.
• Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) answered ten queries at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Banking Bill

MK Ilatov (Y.B.) explained that his amendment is a customer service bill. He stated that it would set a minimum font size on all banking papers and statements that are given to an elderly citizen. He hoped that the new size, which will be large print, will enable the elderly to see what is written in their financial documents.

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

The bill passed its preliminary reading 22-0 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

Amendment to the Israel Economic Recovery Plan Bill

MK Katz (Likud) explained that his amendment to achieve budget targets for the economic policy in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 needs updating after Israel signed a new deal with New Zealand. He explained that the amendment will place a restriction on the levy for employing a foreign worker for New Zealand, thereby enticing New Zealanders to work in Israel.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen expressed government support for the bill.

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

Two Amendments to the Youth Bill

MK Levy-Abekasis (Y.B.) explained that her amendment would afford care and supervision for disadvantaged at-risk children by creating a framework that will treat, watch over and serve as a second home for these children. She stated the new framework would serve as an informal education stronghold, as both a supplement for certain children and a system for the 150 children who have been taken out of the public school system by court orders.  These children will be the first to enjoy the benefits of the new framework.

MK Orlev (J.H.) presented his amendment, which is similar but on a smaller scale. He praised MK Levy-Abekasis for proposing a larger, daring bill. He called Levy-Abekasis Levy-Azoulay by mistake twice but wasn’t corrected by Speaker Rivlin.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) expressed government support for the bill and announced there would be 1,000 spaces in the creation of the framework.

MK Zeev (Shas) objected to the bill on the grounds that it severely harms parents’ rights at the expense of strengthening social workers’. He blasted the current system and warned this bill will make things worse. He feared this bill would encourage the courts to kick more children out of their schools and take more children away from their families.

MK Solodkin (Kadima) objected to the bill on the same grounds as MK Zeev and added the bill has too loosely defined “disadvantaged at-risk children”, which she fears will result in terrible outcomes.

MK Levy-Abekasis defended the social workers and noted that parents’ rights are only taken away by court orders. She stated the bill will help children.

The first bill passed its preliminary reading 45-1-1 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

The second bill passed its preliminary reading 43-0-1 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill/Motion

MK Naffaa (Balad) explained that his amendment would delay the gradual reduction of elderly citizens’ pension allowance for those who did not work more than 25 years or worked for an average of fewer than nine months per year. He stressed that it would help the elderly to give them more time to adapt to the changes.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon said that it is a worthy bill but the government objects to it on the grounds that it can’t afford it. He asked Naffaa to turn the bill into a motion in order to at least save part of it. Naffaa agreed.

The motion passed 33-0 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

Amendment to the National Health Insurance Bill

MK Oron (Meretz) explained that his amendment would exempt a male homemaker from paying national health insurance. He said the current situation in which female homemakers are exempt but males aren’t is absurd.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) said that he agrees with the bill but the government voted against it in the ministerial committee of legislative affairs. He revealed the government position in which the NIS 130 million cost of the bill was the main reason for its objections.

MK Oron expressed his frustration that he won’t ever have a chance to pass the bill again. He reminded Litzman that he plans to retire this month and it saddens him to not have this passed. He concluded by calling for communism within the health ministry services.

The bill was defeated 27-39.

Amendment to the Income Support Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained that her amendment would increase the amount an elderly person or couple is allowed to earn from an income in addition to earning a pension. She stated that the increase of taxes across the board means the government should ease the restriction they place on people who wish to work instead of retiring.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon objected to the bill due to financial constraints. He stated the millions needed to implement this bill just aren’t available.

The bill was defeated 19-35.

Amendment to the Paralympics Bill

MK Yisrael Hasson (Y.B.) explained that his amendment would limit the Head of Benefits and Rehabilitation in the Defense Ministry to a four-year term. He noted that his co-sponsors are Likud MKs. Hasson argued with Prime Minister Netanyahu about the bill for a full ten minutes.

Minister Eitan (Likud) objected to the bill on the grounds that it is a political bill against Defense Minister Barak (Independence).

MK Hasson attacked Ministers Barak and Eitan and screamed at them for five minutes.

Minister Eitan attacked Hasson for his words against him.

The bill was defeated 23-38.

Immigration Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained that his original bill would create a new immigration policy that would ensure Israel will stay a Jewish and democratic state. He noted that there are over 400,000 African infiltrators and over 100,000 illegal Palestinians immigrants living in Israel today. He warned that without this bill Israel might lose its Jewish identity within a decade or so. He slammed the current government policy which does not allow for control of its own borders.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) said that Eilat has been almost captured by illegal immigrants. He defended his immigration policy and said he is a hawk on fighting against illegal immigration, and is fighting to keep Israel’s Jewish identity. He stated this bill is a small-scale bill and he is preparing a bigger bill that is tougher on illegals.

MK Sheetrit stressed this bill is defending the government and there is no reason to oppose it. He tried to negotiate a compromise with Minister Yishai but was unsuccessful.

The bill was defeated 17-41.

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill/Motion

MK Tiviaev (Kadima) told the story of a child from his hometown of Ofakim who died in a hit-and-run by a taxi driver. He noted that more people have died on Israel’s roads than in all of the wars combined. He explained that his amendment would prohibit drivers from sending e-mails while driving.

Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) expressed support for the idea but stressed that this subject can be solved without legislation. He agreed to add the prohibition into the ordinance in exchange for changing the bill into a motion and discussing the matter further in committee.

MK Tiviaev agreed but noted that he lacked favoritism, since a similar bill on prohibiting texting while driving was passed as legislation and not as an ordinance. He used the rest of his time to discuss crime in Jerusalem.

The motion passed 11-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Tuesday’s session lasted about two and a half hours. Two bills were discussed and advanced after passing their first readings. The Gilad Farm incident was the hot topic in the one minute speech segment and the Homeland Security Minister’s question hour. The topic arose in the discussion on the two bills of the day as well. The advanced bills will require Russian instructions on pharmaceuticals and prohibit placing cigarette vending machines in public areas.

Non-Bills Summary

• 20 MKs participated in the ‘One Minute Speech’ segment with the hot topic being the Gilad Farm incident.
• 8 MKs participated in a question hour with Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.), during which he defended the police actions in the Gilad Farm incident.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Pharmacists Ordinance Bill

MK Tiviaev (Kadima) explained that his amendment would require adding instructions on all pharmaceuticals in Russian. He noted that he thought of this bill when he saw his own mother’s trouble with her pharmaceuticals.

MK Ariel (N.U.) praised and supported the bill. He concluded by blasting the police for the Gilad Farm shootings. He slammed the government for shooting at their own citizens. He called the situation an outrage and asked the MKs to speak out against it.

MK Ben-Ari (N.U.) praised and supported the bill. He spoke about the importance of Russian aliyah and said they deserve this hug. He went on to condemn the Gilad Farm shootings and said he met with the injured and saw the destruction and devastation that the police left. He blasted the police for destroying the cameras that captured the shootings. He attacked the police for not allowing him to exercise his rights as an MK in the Gilad Farm and for assaulting him. He called on the government to stop firing live bullets at Israeli citizens.

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

Amendment to the Limitation of the Advertising and Marketing of Tobacco Products Bill

MK Ariel explained that his amendment would prohibit placing cigarette vending machines in public spaces. He confessed that he smoked for 30 years, an addiction that cost him more than NIS 150,000 over that time. He noted the law says that those under 18 are not allowed to smoke; however, they purchase cigarettes from vending machines. He hoped this bill would stop that. He noted that the cigarette vending machine industry employs over 1,000 workers and because of that the bill won’t go into effect until the beginning of 2013. He added that many countries have proposed or passed similar bills over the past few years. He concluded that smoking kills and it is the government’s job to develop smoking prevention legislation.

MK Ben-Ari said that as an educator for over 20 years he supports this bill and stressed it must be passed yesterday. He called smoking an ugly poison and said this bill will take it out of the hands of those who are under 18. He called the bill an educational bill of importance. He concluded that it is better that 1,000 people lose their jobs over 10,000 people who might lose their lives.

MK Zeev (Shas) said that, as the former chairman of the Committee on Drug Abuse, he knows that cigarettes are something from which people can rehabilitate successfully. He blasted the cigarette commercials on television and the internet, including youtube and facebook. He suggested prohibiting cigarette advertising as well, since children surf the internet and watch television.

The bill passed its first reading 8-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Monday’s session lasted about six hours and forty five minutes. Seven bills were discussed. Three bills became law after passing their third readings, and four bills were advanced after passing their first readings. Among those advanced were the Petroleum Profits Tax Bill, also known as the Sheshinski Bill, and a bill that would prohibit the selling of fur, which would be the first such bill passed around the globe. The highlight among the new laws is the creation of a national bone marrow donor system. Three no-confidence motions were defeated earlier in the day.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu increases the gaps in Israel hurting the middle class section of the population’ was defeated 34-53 with 33 MKs not present.
• Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The Israeli government is untrustworthy because of deterioration in State education, overcrowding in classrooms, the decline in student achievement and raising the parents’ payments to new heights’ was defeated 33-53 with 34 MKs not present.
• The three Israeli-Arab parties’ no-confidence motion titled ‘Continuing Israeli blockade on Gaza’ was defeated 8-57-1 with 54 MKs not present.
• Speaker Rivlin eulogized Palmach fighter and journalist Netiva Ben-Yehuda, who passed away last week.
• House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced that Kadima MKs Whbee and Tirosh will switch their positions in the Funds Committee. From now on Tirosh will be a permanent member and Whbee will be a substitute.
• Education Minister Sa’ar announced the transfer of certain powers from the Veterans ministry to the Education ministry.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Supervision of Financial Services Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) explained the amendment would add a long list of regulations in order to supervise the pension consulting and pension marketing industries. He noted this bill was split off from the Arrangements Bill so his committee could spend a few more months tweaking it before its final readings. He concluded by praising the bill and stated that this bill will protect the public.

MK Oron (Meretz) praised the final version of the bill and blasted the previous version that was part of the Arrangements Bill. He blasted the Arrangements Bill as a whole.

MK Levy-Abekasis (Y.B.) praised the bill and thanked MKs Katz and Oron, who gave her a helpful crash course on the complicated subject of pension regulations in Israel.

MK Swaid (Hadash) praised the bill but blasted the neo-liberal economic programs of the capitalistic government. He went on to pitch communism as the most socially just economic system.

MK Khenin (Hadash) praised the bill but criticized Israel’s steady adoption of western capitalistic policies. He stated that Israel’s economy was headed in a better direction in its earlier years and called on the government to return to those days.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) praised the bill and thanked all of the MKs who chose to withdraw their objections to the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 36-0.

The bill passed its third reading 38-0.

Petroleum Profits Tax Bill/ The Sheshinski Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen started presenting the bill because Finance Minister Steinitz was nowhere to be found. Cohen stalled to prevent the bill from being voted down until Steinitz entered the plenum and switched him. The opposition MKs heckled and spoke out against the tactic.

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) said that when he entered his position over two years ago he was told that Israel receives fewer taxes from its natural resources than most countries and ranks last among the western and modern countries. He explained the problem started with the fact that the government share of revenues from its natural resources such as natural gas or oil was over 50% in the 1950s when the company tax was about 50%, and as the company tax was reduced over the last 50 years to less than 20%, so did the government’s share. He said other countries dealt with this problem by raising or creating new taxes on natural resources, while Israel remained the only country not to follow suit. Steinitz explained that, under the old tax system, even large natural gas deposits would leave the country with only a small government share. He stated that as a response he asked international natural resources expert and Hebrew University Professor Eytan Sheshinski to chair a committee that met for nine months and resulted in this bill. He said that Sheshinski is fearless and told a story from Sheshinski’s youth in which he beat up a grizzly bear with a stick to get back his bag in Yosemite Park in the U.S. He stressed that Sheshinski found the balance between the government’s share and the profits for the companies that found the natural resources, in order to encourage more companies to discover more natural resources. He noted the average government share in the OECD countries is around 60% and that the Sheshinski Bill will raise the Israeli share to between 56%-57%. He concluded by saying the new tax will allow Israel to raise the budget on education and welfare.

MK Oron supported the bill and appreciated Steinitz’s speech. He noted that as a socialist he would prohibit the private companies from having anything to do with natural resources and have the State control all of it, but he is willing, in the current political climate, to support the bill the way it is until he is appointed finance minister.

MK Khenin supported the bill and praised Steinitz. He blasted the lobbyists and the private companies that hired them. He stressed that he expected a lot more from the bill, mainly in regards to the government playing a bigger role at the expense of the gas and oil tycoons. He concluded by saying Israel should give the companies their money back and develop its own natural resources.

MK Swaid supported the bill and blasted the lobbyists and the gas and oil tycoons who hired them. He slammed the idea that private companies will have any sort of contact with the countries natural resources.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) said that God intervened by allowing us to find the natural gas deposits now, as Egypt’s and Libya’s natural resources are slowly destroyed. He blasted an MK who said if the money goes to the Haredim it would be better if we didn’t use the gas at all.

MK Zeev (Shas) blasted the bill and supported the private companies that invested billions of dollars to discover the resources. He told the government they are ungrateful and should be ashamed of themselves. He noted without these companies the government wouldn’t get anything and stressed that changing the rules in the middle of the game isn’t democratic. He blasted the government for giving up the search for natural resources in the 1980s after determining there weren’t any left to be found and asked why the government should ask for a bigger share today. He concluded by comparing the situation to a person winning the lottery and then being told by the government that he might have won the lottery, but they are taking away his monetary prize. He called this a bad bill that will hurt the country.

MK Bar-On (Kadima) praised the Israeli film on the children of Sudanese refugees going to school in Tel Aviv that won an Oscar. He went on to blast the bill and support the private companies that discovered the natural resources. He said that as a former finance minister he disagrees with Steinitz’s numbers and analysis. He concluded by praising capitalism and slammed Oron’s socialism and Khenin’s communism.

MK Majadele (Labor) supported the bill and blasted those who opposed it, calling them hypocrites. He said this bill is good for the public and that is what is important.

MK Cabel (Labor) supported the bill and Steinitz. He warned the fight in the committee is ahead of us, and the bill might change before it is passed.

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) thanked God that we have this subject to argue about. He said that he supports the bill presented by the finance minister but agrees with some of former finance minister Bar-On’s concerns and hopes there will be some compromises in the committee.

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) supported the government over the private companies, which resulted in heckling from his colleague MK Bar-On. Sheetrit stressed that this bill is a good idea.

MK Ariel (N.U.) noted that the bill is not retroactive and will apply only to future discoveries. He questioned who exactly falls into the grey area of those who invested in discovering gas or oil, but have not started refining it. He summarized by stating the grey area is what people are arguing over and suggested in the committee that these decisions are made black and white.

MK Yacimovich (Labor) blasted the gas and oil tycoons and attacked their lobbyists and high-powered friends throughout the Israeli media. She said much has changed since the 1952 bill and this much needed update must be passed as soon as possible. She noted that the bill is not retroactive, as MK Ariel did. She accused Kadima of flanking Likud on the right with their support for the gas tycoons.

MK Wilf (Independence) praised the bill and the natural gases that will grant Israel energy independence. She stressed the importance of energy independence on our economy.

MK Shama (Likud) supported Sheshinski, his committee and the bill they presented. He praised Steinitz for supporting Sheshinski over the tycoons and their lobbyist army.

Finance Minister Steinitz revealed that, as a former philosophy professor, he does not understand the logic of those who oppose the bill on the grounds that Israeli citizens do not have the right to benefit from their own natural resources. He thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for supporting the bill and the philosophy behind the bill. He stressed there is no retroactive part of this bill.

The bill passed its first reading 36-8-1 and was sent to the House Committee to decide whether the Finance or Funds Committee will discuss the bill.

Amendment to the Employment of Women Bill

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) explained that the amendment would allow the full rights to adoptive and foster parents that new mothers receive today, such as maternity leave.

The bill passed its first reading 19-0 and was sent to the Labor, Welfare and Health Committee.

Amendment to the Pharmacists Ordinance Bill

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) explained that the amendment would extend the temporary provision of the protection of confidential information disclosed in medical cases for another five years.

MK Ariel supported the bill and went on to ask the ministers present to speak out against the shooting of Israeli citizens in the Gilad Farm by the Israeli police. He asked them to prevent the next occurrence of such an incident.

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

Amendment to the Proposed Wildlife Protection Bill

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) explained that the amendment would prohibit hunting animals for sport and the import of all fur products and increase the punishment for poisoning animals or throwing out one’s pets into the street or open spaces. He noted that fur products for religious purposes will be allowed under the new bill. MK Cabel heckled him on that point. Erdan defended the decision saying that the State shouldn’t suppress religious freedom.

MK Hotoveli (Likud) said she was embarrassed to be a coalition MK on the day of the Gilad Farm shootings and compared them to the Amona fiasco of 2006. She blasted the policemen who wore ski masks while shooting their citizens, treating them like convicted terrorists.

MK Zeev said he cried when he saw that this bill grants more rights to animals than the citizens of Gilad Farm received when they were lined up and shot at 4:30 AM. He noted that streimels might be prohibited under the bill that is being discussed, and he blasted the vague bill.

MK Ariel praised the bill and said that the bill exists in the bible as part of the commandment of not harming animals. He praised MKs Hotoveli and Zeev’s speeches. He asked how Israeli citizens could receive the same bullets that were shot and killed several men on the Mavi Marmara ship of the Turkish flotilla. He stressed that the Gilad Farm shootings were worse than Amona.

MK Gafni (U.T.J.) noted that several countries have forbidden “shechita” because they feel it violates animal rights. Gafni asked why Israel should be the first country to prohibit fur, considering it might encourage other countries to adopt the bill but without the clause that allows fur for religious reasons. He also suggested we care for our own citizens before we care for our animals.

The bill passed its first reading 14-0 with 2 MKs abstaining and was sent to the Interior and Environment Committee.

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the amendment would correct the current system in which a person who serves fewer than 75 days of military reserve duty receives his payment from his employer. He announced the new system would have the money transferred directly to soldier without the employer acting as a middleman. He added this system would be enforced for those who serve more than seven days per year, as opposed to 75 as was the case previously. Katz expressed regret that the bill won’t take affect for those who serve for seven or fewer days as was outlined when the bill passed its first reading.

The bill passed its second reading 11-0.

The bill passed its third reading 12-0.

MK Cabel thanked everyone who helped him pass the bill he sponsored earlier in the term.

Prescription Bone Marrow Donors Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the bill would create a national bone marrow donor system, including a bone marrow donor bank. He noted that there are three private bone marrow donor banks in Israel and that they are quite expensive. He announced that by creating a national bank this bill will allow the “average Joe” to find an appropriate affordable solution. He added that the police and court system will not be allowed to access the information in the national bank and use it against Israel’s citizens. He thanked his assistants for helping him with the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 10-0.

The bill passed its third reading 10-0.

MK Orlev (J.H.), who co-sponsored the bill, thanked a long list of people including his assistants who helped him along the journey of the past five years that it took to pass this bill. He noted this bill will save between 150-160 lives each year. He called this bill the most important and historic of all the 50+ bills that he has passed in his career as an MK.

MK Bielski (Kadima), who co-sponsored the bill, said that if this is the only bill that he ever passes he will consider his tenure as an MK successful. He thanked Orlev for pressing everyone to pass the bill and Netanyahu for approving the budget to implement the bill.

Last Wednesday’s session lasted about ten hours. Nine bills were discussed. Two bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings, four were defeated and three were turned into motions in order to avoid defeat. The headline of the day was Netanyahu voting against his bill from the previous term that would grant full citizen rights to settlers in Judea and Samaria, and Netanyahu accidentally voting against his own speech in the 40-MK discussion.

Non-Bills Summary

• House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) revealed the new breakdown of which MKs will represent the Labor party in the various committees. MK Cabel will serve on the House and Defense and Foreign Affairs Committees. MK Yacimovich will serve on the Funds and Labor, Welfare and Health Committees. MK Peretz will serve on the Finance Committee. MK Braverman will serve on the Interior and Environment Committee. MK Herzog will serve on the Law, Constitution and Justice Committee. MK Ben Simon will serve on the Women’s Rights, Science and Technology, and Immigration and Absorption Committees. He announced the following substitutes for the Labor party: MK Herzog on the House and Defense and Foreign Affairs Committees, MK Majadele on the Funds Committee, MK Braverman on the Finance Committee and MK Cabel on the Law, Constitution and Justice Committee. He also announced the six committees in which the lone non-minister Independence MK Wilf will represent her party. They are the House, Funds, Defense and Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Absorption, State Comptroller, and Science and Technology Committees. He announced that MK Pinyan (Likud) will be a substitute in the Defense and Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology, and Immigration and Absorption Committees. MK Levin will be a substitute in the Funds and State Comptroller Committees. MK Elkin (Likud) will be a substitute in the Education, Culture and Sport Committee. MK Hotovely (Likud) will be a substitute in the House Committee. MK Abesadze (Kadima) will be a substitute in the House, Finance, and Interior and Environment Committees. MK Zeev (Shas) will replace MK Amsellem (Shas) as a substitute in the Law, Constitution and Justice Committee. All of the measures were approved by a single 7-1 vote.
• A discussion requested by 40 MKs on the topic of the “Netanyahu Government’s failure in the political, economic and social sectors” took place. 16 MKs spoke, followed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Livni. A number of Kadima MKs were thrown out of the plenum during the heated debate. The Knesset approved Netanyahu’s speech 46-33, even though Netanyahu accidentally voted against it.
• Three motions were discussed. A motion on Education Minister Sa’ar’s (Likud) program for students’ class trips to Hebron was discussed by four MKs and the minister himself and was defeated 6-8. A motion on the cuts across the board in the government offices was discussed by four MKs and Finance Minister Steinitz and was sent to the Funds Committee for further discussion. A motion on the PA request to the UN Security Council and the U.S. veto was discussed by five MKs and Minister Steinitz and was defeated 4-5.
• Transportation Minister Katz (Likud), Education Minister Sa’ar and Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon (Y.B.) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session. Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon answered additional queries at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Joint Investment Trust Law

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained that his amendment would require public joint investment companies to publish a prospectus in the newspaper when they are formed.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 22-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Entry into Israel Law

MK Azoulay (Shas) explained that his amendment would establish a committee chaired by a retired judge that would allow, in certain humanitarian cases, employing a foreign worker in the field of nursing beyond the original departure date. He added that certain elderly people who have foreign private nurses and are near death are forced to get a new nurse for the last few months of their life because the previous nurse’s visa expired. He expressed hope the new committee would correct the situation.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 41-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Planning and Construction Bill/Motion

MK Whbee (Kadima) explained that his amendment would promote speeding up the authorization for receiving building and planning permits in areas where there is a high concentration of illegal housing. He stated that these areas have a legal housing shortage and therefore have resorted to illegal building. He hoped this would encourage people to build houses legally, as opposed to taking the law into their own hands. He noted the Druze community, which he represents, has a severe housing shortage and said this bill is a necessary step to correct it.

Interior Minister Yishai opposed the bill on the grounds that this bill will encourage illegal building and hurt the public. He stated the government is looking into various solutions to the housing shortage and have a number of government bills currently being discussed in Knesset committees. He suggested turning the bill into a motion.

MK Whbee blasted the government, who haven’t authorized any building in the Druze community for over a decade. Whbee agreed to turn the bill into a motion.

The motion passed 83-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Public Housing Tenants Rights Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained that her amendment would entitle free public housing for all new immigrants.

Housing and Construction Minister Atias (Shas) opposed the bill on the grounds that the bill discriminates against Israeli citizens who are not immigrants. He attacked the idea that new immigrants or older immigrants should receive public housing over regular Israeli citizens.

MK Solodkin said the subject isn’t the equality of all Israeli citizens. She stressed that the current situation discriminates against new immigrants and discourages people from making aliyah.

The bill was defeated 26-37.

Amendment to the Population Registry Bill

MK Oron (Meretz) explained that his amendment would change the definition of who is considered a Jew on a teudat zehut (national identification document) in the interior ministry. In the new definition conservative and reform Jews and their converts would be defined as Jewish.

Interior Minister Yishai opposed the bill on the grounds that the conservative and reform Jews are not Jewish therefore there is no reason to change the definition of who is Jewish.

MK Oron said that there are hundreds of thousands of citizens who view themselves as Jewish and he feels strongly that they deserve to be considered Jewish.

The bill was defeated 3-54.

Amendment to the Compulsory Education Bill

MK Barakeh (Hadash) explained that his amendment would exempt all parents from mandatory payments for their children’s education, including school books and field trips.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) opposed the bill on the grounds that it would cost over NIS 1 billion annually to implement.

MK Barakeh warned that there will be students who are discriminated against and will not attend to their studies as a result.

The bill was defeated 15-34-1.

Amendment to the Retirement Age Bill/Motion

MK Ganaim (R.T.) explained his amendment would slowly start lowering the retirement age for teachers.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) opposed the bill on the grounds that 60 is a respectable retirement age. He added that certain applicants can file for early retirement at the age of 50 if they meet certain criteria. He concluded that other jobs that are more demanding than teaching do not receive such benefits. He asked Ganaim to turn the bill into a motion, and Ganaim agreed.

The motion passed 25-0 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Amendment to the Law and Administration Ordinance Bill

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) explained that his amendment would begin the application of Israeli law in Jewish cities, regional councils and local councils within Judea and Samaria effective immediately. He explained that he first brought up this bill a year ago and the government has postponed the vote ever since by making false promises. Katzeleh asked that MK Ariel finish presenting the bill because he was sick and hoarse and no one could hear him. Speaker Rivlin authorized the request.

MK Ariel (N.U.) clarified that the bill would apply Israeli law to the recognized Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria but would not apply Israeli law to the open areas, the Palestinian-controlled areas or the rest of Judea and Samaria. He spent a great deal of time quoting verses from the Torah (Bible) which mention the various Jewish settlements that are included in the bill, such as Hebron, Bet-El, Shiloh and Rachel’s tomb. He cited several historical links between the settlements and Jewish history including the British Balfour Declaration of 1917. MK Zahalka (Balad) heckled Ariel as he discussed the history of the six day war in 1967. After the long history lesson, he went on to list the ministers and MKs who co-sponsored this identical bill three years ago, including the main sponsor at the time, Prime Minister Netanyahu. Some of the other co-sponsors from three years ago include current Ministers Edelstein, Eitan, Erdan, Kahlon, Katz, Livnat, Landver, Misezhnikov, Margi, Sa’ar, Steinitz and Shalom; current Deputy Ministers Cohen and Litzman; Speaker Rivlin; current coalition MKs Ilatov, Orlev, Azoulay, Elkin, Amsellem, Gafni, Vaknin, Zeev, Cohen, Katz, Michaeli, Miller, Rotem, and Shemtov; and Kadima MK Yisrael Hasson. He said that citizens who pay taxes, serve the army and fulfill all their civil duties must be given full rights as a citizen, as opposed to the current law that requires them to stand trial in military courts. He called the current situation not worthy, not fair, not democratic, not Jewish and without integrity. He noted that most of the ministers who were asked to present the government position on the bill refused to do so, and he called on them to support the bill.

Minister Begin (Likud) agreed that the government pushed off the decision on this bill for too long. He announced that he and all of the ministers decided to vote against this bill. Begin agreed that Alon Moreh and Bet-El are part of our Jewish heritage. He said that the population in Judea and Samaria has reached 350,000 people without this bill, and he expects the numbers to grow beyond that mark without this bill as well. MKs Ben-Ari and Hotovely heckled Begin from the right and MKs Bar-On, Shai, Tibi, Barakeh and Yoel Hasson heckled him from the left. MK Ben-Ari was removed from the plenum after being called to order three times. Begin concluded that this bill will not be passed until a peace agreement is signed with the Palestinians.

MK Ariel and Minister Begin shared a few words by the podium. Speaker Rivlin called on them to save it for his chambers, where they were both invited for after the bill was voted on. Ariel revealed that Begin attacked him for accusing the government of being immoral and inhumane by opposing the bill. Ariel responded that it is immoral and inhumane that Begin has more rights as a citizen than Ariel’s wife and children because Ariel lives in Judea and Samaria. Ariel went on to attack Likud and Yisrael Beitenu, who promised big things for Judea and Samaria during the election campaign and are opposing this bill. He attacked the government for applying a building freeze by not approving one building in Judea and Samaria since they took power two years ago. He asked if any of the ministers knows if there is one other country in the world that prohibits Jews from building homes. He noted that not one minister or MK stood up, because the answer is clear. He concluded by attacking the government for prohibiting Jews from visiting the temple mount. He asked his co-sponsors to vote in favor of the bill. Among the current co-sponsors of the bill from the coalition were Likud MKs Levin, Hotovely, Elkin, Danon, Regev, Shama and Pinyan; Yisrael Beitenu MKs Rotem, Miller, Kirshenbaum, Amar, Michaeli, Matalon and Levy-Abekasis; Shas MKs Vaknin, Michaeli, Azoulay, Amsellem, Cohen and Zeev; United Torah Judaism MKs Maklev and Moses; and Jewish Home MK Orbach. None of them voted for the bill, but all were either absent or refused to participate in the vote.

40 MKs from the opposition requested a roll-call to embarrass Netanyahu. Only 20 of the 66 coalition MKs attended the vote and opposed the bill; the other 46 MKs were scared off by the roll-call and the cameras that were set up in the audience.

Netanyahu, Likud ministers Edelstein, Eitan, Erdan, Begin, Ya’alon, Kahlon, Livnat, Meridor, Sa’ar, Peled and Steinitz and Speaker Rivlin opposed the bill. Independence Ministers Vilnai, Noked and Simhon and MK Wilf also opposed the bill. The Degel Hatorah party of the United Torah Judaism faction, MKs Gafni and Maklev, opposed the bill. Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon also opposed the bill. The opposition’s 29 MKs who opposed the bill waited to vote until the second and third roll-calls in order to pressure the 20 coalition MKs who opposed the bill to search for their missing colleagues. The 4 National Union MKs were the only MKs to vote for the bill.

The bill was defeated 4-49 with 67 MKs not present.

Protecting the Rights of Israeli Citizens Where Israeli Law Does Not Apply Bill/Motion

MK Zeev (Shas) explained that his bill would prohibit the State from evicting by force settlers from their homes. He stated the bill requires Israel to follow the human rights requirements of the United Nations when it comes to evicting a population from their property, such as not throwing a person out of his house by force and when he does not have a different place to live.

Minister Begin expressed government opposition to the bill and explained that he came to an agreement with MK Zeev that the bill would be turned into a motion.

The motion passed 8-1 and will be discussed further in the plenum.

Tuesday’s session lasted about two hours and fifteen minutes, including a short recess in the middle. No bills were discussed. Two motions were discussed, but neither was voted on. The short day had a low attendance with a plenum that never reached double digits at any time during the day. In fact, only one-third of the MKs were in the building when Speaker Rivlin opened the session.

Non-Bills Summary

• 18 MKs participated in the ‘One Minute Speech’ segment of the day. The economy and Gilad Shalit were the main topics.
• A motion on the Jubilee of the Bar Association was discussed by Speaker Rivlin and six MKs.
• A motion on Gilad Shalit, who has been in captivity for more than 1,700 days, was discussed by Speaker Rivlin and eight MKs.