Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Last Tuesday’s session lasted about four hours. Two bills were discussed and advanced after passing their first readings. The first bill compensates those renting during the disengagement and the second bill raises the fine and jail time for papers that publish prostitution advertisements. Jewish Identity Day was celebrated in the Knesset’s committees throughout the day, and a motion on the topic was discussed in the plenum as well. The Hasbara Minister and Justice Minister answered queries.

Non-Bills Summary

• 22 MKs participated in the ‘One Minute Speech’ segment of the day. The main topics discussed were gas prices and Jewish Identity Day.
• A motion on Jewish Identity Day was discussed by Speaker Rivlin and 14 MKs.
• Hasbara Minister Edelstein (Likud) answered queries in a question hour.
• Justice Minister Neeman answered two queries at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Disengagement Implementation Plan Bill

MK Rotem (U.T.J.) explained the amendment would present a one-time arrangement for private tenants who rented their homes in areas that were evacuated during the 2005 disengagement. He stated that only homeowners received compensation after the disengagement and this bill would provide financial compensation to those who rented there. He noted that most of those renting planned on building a house there and didn’t have enough time to do so. He announced that the bill has co-sponsors from most of the Knesset’s parties.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) said that it has been five and a half years since the ethnic cleansing called the disengagement happened. He noted that it has been ten years since former Prime Minister Sharon was first elected, followed by Sharon betraying his voters and turning them into refugees within their own country. Ben Ari attacked the Sharon and Olmert governments, which refused to pursue the legislation that is being advanced today. He stated that this bill comes too late and offers too little and it is an embarrassment to vote on it five and a half years after the fact.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) called the disengagement a stain on Israel’s history and a disaster. He stated that if citizens were kicked out of their homes for a peace treaty it would be one thing, but the disengagement was something completely different and wrong. He slammed those who took gratification in seeing religious people thrown out of their homes. He blasted the government for there still being Gush Katif homeowner refugees after five and a half years. He called on the government to find a solution for every citizen that was evacuated and has not received permanent housing.

MK Zeev (Shas) recalled that the disengagement was supposed to bring us international legitimacy and financial growth. He stated that Israel is worse off after the disengagement than it was before it. He demanded that those who paid the price of the disengagement be compensated. He noted the bill will only affect those who lived in Gush Katif and North Samaria for at least two years.

MK Eldad (N.U.) noted this was the third amendment to the disengagement bill and it won’t be the last. He stated that after this bill passes there will still be those who don’t have a solution and those people will continue to suffer. He reminded the MKs present that it took NIS 15 billion to evacuate 8,000 people. He asked those present who wish to evacuate more settlers if the country will be able to afford it.

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

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained that the amendment would fine those who publish advertisements for prostitution services NIS 226,000 and said they would also receive an additional punishment of three years in jail.

MK Zuaretz (Kadima) said that all prostitutes are being used and warned that prostitution is slowly becoming mainstream. She hoped this bill would combat prostitution and take another step towards outlawing it completely. She labeled prostitution “consensual rape”. She went on to attack strip clubs that she said lower the respect men have for women. She called the papers that publish prostitution advertisements full partners of human trafficking and women abuse.

MK Zeev supported the bill and praised Khenin and Zuaretz, who were among the main co-sponsors of the bill. He called it an educational bill.

MK Yacimovich (Labor) labeled prostitution “violence against women”. She dismissed claims that there are women who are prostitutes by choice and stressed that all of them are forced into prostitution by pimps.

The bill passed its first reading 8-0 and was sent to the Women’s Rights Committee.

Monday’s session lasted about five hours. Eight bills were discussed. Six bills were advanced after passing their first readings and two bills became law after passing their third readings. The highlight bill of the day was the television reform bill that includes about 150 paragraphs and generated many objections. Netanyahu survived three no-confidence motions on the subjects of the housing crisis, the Ramatkal (IDF Chief of Staff) appointment crisis and the raising of the gas and water prices.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu continues to abandon the public in Israel and ignores the serious housing crisis which he led’ was defeated 44-58 with 18 MKs not present.
• Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘Conduct of the prime minister and defense minister surrounding the Ramatkal appointment affair’ was defeated 44-58 with 18 MKs not present.
• The three Arab parties’ no-confidence motion titled ‘The further raising of gas prices and water’ was defeated 38-58 with 24 MKs not present.
• Speaker Rivlin greeted the EFI (European Friends of Israel) delegation with a warm speech.
• MK Israel Eichler (U.T.J.) was sworn in, in place of Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush (U.T.J.), who resigned Wednesday. Eichler made a commitment but didn’t swear, since he is an ultra-orthodox Jew. In Eichler’s opening speech he said he would follow his rabbi and work for the ultra-orthodox community.
• Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) answered four queries at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Evacuation of Minefields Bill

MK Bar-On (Kadima) warned there are half a million mines along Israel’s border and former borders that take up a collective 33,000 km². He said that twelve years ago the government was called on to remove the mines and only lately have they been pursuing this bill. He stated that many tourists have been injured over the years losing limbs, and there were fatalities as well. He explained the bill would create an authority in charge of removing these mines. He said that the authority will help raise funds to cover the expense of removing the mines. He said the individuals who remove mines will not be liable if something goes wrong, but the companies that employ them will. He hoped that the bill would enable the opening up of more green areas for the public, particularly in the Golan. He thanked former MK Hanegbi for proposing the bill and his 73 MK cosponsors, which he claimed was an all-time record. He slammed those who sent Hanegbi on a “forced vacation”.

The bill passed its first reading 59-0 and was sent to the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee.

Amendment to the Second Authority for Television and Radio Bill

MK Akunis (Likud) explained that the amendment would update the licensing regulations of broadcast, cable and satellite television channels. He noted that at the end of March the analog systems will be completely replaced with modern digital ones, and that requires a series of updates. He stated that it took him a year and a half as the former finance committee chairman to complete the work needed for the bill. He added that the era of more than one company operating a channel will end. He praised the addition of more channels to the DTT that will take place over the course of the next two years, including channels in Arabic and Russian.

MK Shamalov Berkovich (Kadima) said she has several objections. She said the fact that the bill will not become law for another three years worries her. She stated that in Israel a lot can happen in three years and a new minister can push off the bill’s implementation for another three years. Her second objection was that the bill prohibits the addition of more broadcast channels. She informed Akunis she will vote against the bill if her two objections are not accepted.

MK Shai (Kadima) said this bill is not a reform. He blasted the fact that the license will be for 15 years, claiming that 15 years is a lifetime. He said that television will be worse because the fear of the operators of losing their license is being eliminated. He concluded by saying this bill is a bad idea and he opposes just about all of it.

MK Zeev (Shas) blasted reality shows and asked what messages television is sending to our children. He said that he agreed to withdraw most of his objections at the request of the minister. He said the one objection he is keeping is his addition of a requirement that the owners of the operating company have at least NIS 100 million in order to meet its obligations.

The objections of MKs Shamalov Berkovich and Shai were defeated 7-29, 7-29, 7-28, 7-31, 7-28, 6-27, 8-25 and 8-28.

MK Zeev’s objection was accepted 30-7.

The paragraphs of the bill passed their second readings 29-7, 30-6, 30-6, 25-6, 29-6, 27-5 and 29-5.

The bill passed its third reading 28-7.

Communications Minister Kahlon (Likud) thanked the Knesset for approving his reform of television. He thanked former Communications Minister Atias for starting the reform during the previous term and also thanked former Finance Committee Chairman Akunis.

Amendment to the Local Authorities Bill

Education Minister Sa’ar explained that the amendment would create the position ‘Head of the Youth Council of Students and Youth’ that would lead the ministry’s informal education department in various local authorities.

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

Amendment to the Municipalities Ordinance Bill

Interior Committee Chairman Azoulay (Shas) explained that the amendment would create a committee in various local authorities that will be responsible for developing and implementing programs to fight violence.

The bill passed its second reading 25-0.

The bill passed its third reading 22-1.

Amendment to the Planning and Building Bill

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) explained that his amendment would provide tax exemptions for strengthening buildings against earthquakes. He said he hoped this bill will help save lives.

The bill passed its first reading 17-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Sports Bill

Culture and Sport Minister Livnat (Likud) explained that the amendment would present a new code of ethics that the monopolies of the sport industry must comply with. She noted that the requirements would include regulations on which employees are fit to fill certain positions, particularly committee judges.

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

Amendment to the Railway Ordinance Bill

Minister Ya’alon (Likud) explained that the amendment would implement the latest changes needed to legalize the operation of the Jerusalem light rail. He added that the amendment also erases a considerable number of paragraphs from the original bill.

MK Zeev decided to discuss the earthquake bill further. He said the bill helps contractors strengthen buildings against earthquakes and do so affordably. He noted that the contractors might be forced to take away people’s parking spaces to implement the bill and asked that a solution be found for that. He went on to discuss the light rail bill and called the current situation a catastrophe and a safety hazard. He hoped this bill will bring positive changes to the light rail of Jerusalem.

MK Ariel (N.U.) announced that a warrant was taken out against Kiryat Arba Rabbi Dov Lior for giving his “haskama” (endorsement) to a book and refusing to show up for an investigation on the matter. He called on his fellow MKs to complain to the justice and homeland security ministers about the warrant.

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

Amendment to the Knesset Bill

House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) explained that his amendment would transfer paragraphs from the Knesset Bill to Basic Law: The Knesset. He stated that among the paragraphs being moved are ones that state under which circumstances MKs are suspended or forced to resign.

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

Last Wednesday’s session lasted about twelve and a half hours. Nine bills were discussed. Two bills were advanced after passing their preliminary reading, six were defeated, and one was turned into a motion to avoid defeat. Netanyahu survived a discussion requested by 40 MKs on the topic titled ‘The Netanyahu government’s failure in the political, economic and social sectors’.

Non-Bills Summary

• Home Front Security Minister Vilnai (Independence), Housing and Construction Minister Atias (Shas), Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud), Justice Minister Neeman and Tourism Minister Misezhnikov (Y.B.) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.
• A discussion requested by 40 MKs was held on the topic of ‘The Netanyahu government’s failure in the political, economic and social sectors’. 14 MKs spoke on the subject. Prime Minister Netanyahu responded and Opposition Leader Livni followed with her speech. Netanyahu’s response was accepted by the plenum with a 49-36 vote.
• House Committee Chairman Levin explained that he is requesting changes to the Knesset rulebook regarding committees that appoint state positions (chief rabbi, judges, etc) and who is qualified to begin and end a “state of emergency”. The requests were approved 12-1 and 12-1.
• 11 motions were discussed.  Seven motions were passed and sent to committees for further discussion by votes of 11-1, 10-0, 12-0, 8-0, 11-0, 7-0 and 6-0. Two motions were defeated 2-7 and 1-3, and two more were not voted on. Those four motions will not be discussed further.
• Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) answered two queries towards the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Students’ Rights Bill

MK Miller (Y.B.) explained that his amendment would prohibit discrimination of students on the basis of country of origin. He stated that many cities choose to prohibit certain immigrant groups from enrolling into certain schools and this bill will prohibit that.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) expressed government support for the bill.

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

Amendment to the National Health Insurance Bill

MK Oron (Meretz) explained that his amendment would transfer more responsibility for the reimbursement of hospitalization care payments from the hospitals to the kupot cholim (insurance companies). He announced that hospital meals will be among the additions of the bill. He noted that this would require a raise in the national health insurance taxes of about NIS 30 per month for the higher tax brackets. He said it is the responsibility of the younger generation to pay higher health insurance bills for the older generation who can’t afford it.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) expressed government support for the bill and asked Oron not to take too much credit. He noted similar bills had been raised over the years. He stated that this comes as the third part of his ministry’s reform, following free dental work for children and reforming the mental health institutions.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 65-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendment to the Planning and Construction Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained that his amendment would reduce the level of cellular radiation by prohibiting big antennas and replacing them with small antennas. He cited studies that prove antennas cause radiation that result in cancer and death. He said that the communications minister and the environment ministry official in charge of radiation support the bill and he expects Environment Minister Erdan to follow suit. He noted that many western countries have a similar law.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) opposed the bill. He wondered why Sheetrit didn’t propose this bill when he was Interior Minister in charge of implementing this bill. He charged that this bill was a lobbyist bill of the cellular companies that will help them cut corners of government bureaucracy. He called Sheetrit a liar, claiming that the environment ministry official in charge of radiation spoke in front of the ministerial committee of legislative affairs in opposition of the bill. He slammed Sheetrit for proposing a bill that will allow cellular companies to place antennas in front of people’s houses without allowing citizens the right of appeal. He stated that a Supreme Court ruling against the cellular companies labeled this bill undemocratic.

MK Sheetrit told Erdan that after two years in office he should stop blaming the previous administration. He screamed at Erdan for rejecting his bill without offering a solution to the high radiation levels. He rejected Erdan’s approach and charged him with personally harming the environment and raising the radiation levels in Israel. He rejected the Supreme Court ruling and called on Erdan to have some guts and overrule them.

MK Itzik (Kadima) said it bothered her that Erdan and Sheetrit were fighting and asked for the two to come to some sort of compromise.

Environment Minister Erdan charged that Itzik was breaking Knesset protocol by butting in to a bill that she didn’t propose. He explained that the bill is illegal and undemocratic. He said that the lobbyist bill will hurt individuals and help the cellular companies cut corners.

MK Sheetrit criticized Minister Erdan for screaming at him and Deputy Speaker Akunis for handling the room poorly.

The bill was defeated 23-57.

Civil Marriage Bill

MK Sheetrit explained that his amendment would present a solution to those who wish to get married and don’t qualify for marriage under Jewish law. He said that the bill is carefully phrased and doesn’t violate Jewish law. He said a solution must be found to prevent people from flying to Cyprus to get married. He said that as a traditional Jew he supports Jewish law marriage, but feels a solution must be given to those who don’t qualify for it.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government opposition to the bill. He said that a government bill was passed last year that allows two people who can’t be married by Jewish law to get married civilly. He stated that Sheetrit’s bill, which covers situations where only one side is not able to be married under Jewish law, would be a violation of Jewish law. He noted that it is a delicate subject that is being discussed by a ministerial committee and asked to allow them to solve it.

MK Molla (Kadima) screamed at Neeman for a solid five minutes and blasted his policies. He said that if someone is allowed to make aliyah they should be allowed to get married in Israel too.

The bill was defeated 26-51-4.

Amendment to the Planning and Construction Bill

MK Zoabi (Balad) explained that her amendment would allow citizens to report social workers and welfare officers for crimes committed during violent cases where children are taken away from their parents. She explained that welfare officers receive full reign and are allowed to damage property, physically abuse, steal and use profanity against the parents while taking away their children. She noted that the court takes children particularly from illegally-built homes and therefore feels free to trash these homes. She went over her time by several minutes and refused to step down from the podium, despite several requests by Deputy Speaker Akunis.

Environment Minister Erdan opposed the bill. He called it a politically driven bill. He said that the court already hears these types of cases, and this bill is biased against the welfare officers.

The bill was defeated 8-28.

MK Levy-Abekasis (Y.B.) said that she supported Zoabi’s bill and said that what concerned her was the best interest of the children.

Amendment to the Municipal Taxes and the Government Taxes Ordinance Bill

MK Swaid (Hadash) explained that his amendment would create a fund for the distribution of government agencies’ assets. He explained that this bill would create a big fund that would raise more money for the local authorities and divide the profits equally. He said this will help the poor local authorities survive.

Distribution of Property Tax Money Paid to a Fund from the Assets Held by Public Bodies Bill

MK Zahalka (Balad) said that his similar bill was in fact a government bill that was part of the Arrangements Bill. He announced the government decided to pull the bill when the mayors of the rich cities fought it.

Environment Minister Erdan opposed both bills. He said the government is looking into other ways to help the poor local authorities and it shouldn’t come at the expense of the local authorities that are run well.

MK Swaid asked Erdan the next time he responds to his bill to do so objectively and not emotionally with rage.

The first bill was defeated 14-36.

The second bill was defeated 11-36-1.

Amendment to the National Health Insurance Bill

MK Tibi (R.T.) said that the long waits for appointments are unacceptable and alleged that some patients die while they are waiting for months for their appointments. He explained that his amendment would place a limit on appointment wait times for all medical treatments.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman said that he approves of the bill but the government opposes it. He said the system has problems, but it remains the envy of most nations.

The bill was defeated 12-23.

Motion/Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained that her amendment would prohibit women from covering their faces with a veil or a burka in public. She blasted Arabs and ultra-orthodox Jews who wear such things and said there is no place in a democratic state for this degradation of women.

Justice Minister Neeman said he is glad that the biggest problem in Israeli society is women wearing burkas. Solodkin didn’t laugh. Neeman said that he is against the bill and called the 30-day jail time the bill requires ludicrous. He attempted not to laugh when he read that according to the bill a repeated offender would spend six months in jail. He suggested turning the bill into a motion. He called the bill a violation of religious rights and freedom of expression.

MK Regev (Likud) announced that she agreed to her similar bill being merged with MK Solodkin’s and turned into a motion. MK Solodkin also agreed.

The motion passed 12-2 and was sent to the Law Committee.

Tuesday’s session was brief and lasted less than two and a half hours. Four bills were discussed and advanced in their first readings. Among the bills advanced were one that prevents communications companies from spamming and one that prevents sex offenders from being hired in certain institutions.

Non-Bills Summary

• 19 MKs participated in the One Minute Speech segment of the day. Egypt was the main topic.
• Six MKs asked questions to Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) during a question hour.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Preventing the Hiring of Sex Offenders in Certain Institutions Bill

Women Rights Committee Chairwoman Hotovely (Likud) expressed her hope that the amendment would assist helpless women. She said the amendment will increase the number of institutions and the number of crimes that are included in the original bill.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) said that society must distance itself from these types of people and expressed his support for the bill. He went on to predict that Egyptian President Mubarak will fall and that the peace with Egypt will come to an end. He blasted the government for past peace agreements and cease fires. He predicted that Lebanon’s Hezbollah and the Palestinians will take advantage of our weaknesses and create a disaster that Israel could have prevented.

MK Naffaa (Balad) praised the bill and called for adding all educational institutions to the bill before its next reading.

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

Amendment to the Elections Bill

Law, Constitution and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem explained that the amendment will increase the number of polling stations for those doing national service, handicapped citizens and prisoners.

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

Amendment to the Communications Bill

Public Petitions Committee Chairman Maklev (U.T.J.) explained that his amendment would prevent spam by telecommunication and broadcasting companies. He said that the bill would prohibit the companies from using an automatic dialing system from an unidentified phone number to promote their commercials. He stated this will eliminate the legislative loophole that allows companies to call someone and hang up in order to trick the customer into calling them back from their own phone which results in the customer paying for the call instead of the company.

MK Shamalov Berkovich (Kadima) said she was proud to be a co-sponsor of the bill and felt it was a very important bill.

MK Ben Ari said that he approved of the bill. He slammed the Israeli lottery, who he claimed are the biggest violators of what the bill is aiming to correct. He went on to blast the Israeli lottery and called it gambling.

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

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

MK Yacimovich (Labor) explained that her amendment would extend for two years an experimental program in select cities.  The program cuts out the middleman who collects money from the government that is earmarked for certain people and then distributes the money to those who are entitled to receive it. She explained the program allows the government to give the money directly to those who are entitled without the middleman being involved at all.

MK Michaeli (Shas) expressed his support for the bill and said it was very important.

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

Today’s session lasted less than three hours. All three bills discussed became law after passing their third readings. The government survived the three no-confidence motions submitted by the opposition on the topics of raising fuel prices, the Al Jazeera papers and the building freeze in Jerusalem. Speaker Rivlin broke from the government and his party by deciding not to participate in the no-confidence motion vote on the continued building freeze in Jerusalem, despite being present and presiding over the debate and voting. National Union took the opportunity for a roll-call vote, forcing Rivlin to state on the record that he chose not to participate in the vote. It should be noted that Prime Minister Netanyahu was not present for the vote.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu raises the fuel prices and belittles the middle class sector of the population’ was defeated 39-56 with 25 MKs not present.
• Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘Exposing the government’s policy by Al Jazeera and the ongoing political deadlock’ was defeated 37-57-1 with 25 MKs not present.
• National Union’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The continued building freeze in Jerusalem by the government’ was defeated 30-56-5 with 28 MKs not present. Jerusalem resident Speaker Rivlin was present and decided not to participate in the vote. It should be noted this is the first time this term that Speaker Rivlin did not support the government in a no-confidence vote.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Bar Association Bill

MK Michaeli (Shas) said that the amendment would temporarily disbar Court Registrars and Judges for the time they serve in those positions. He explained that they would regain their bar licenses automatically after they leave their positions.

The bill passed its second reading 33-1.

The bill passed its third reading 30-0.

Amendment to the Israel Consumer Council Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained that the amendment would privatize the Israel Consumer Council and therefore discontinue government funding.

The bill passed its second reading 29-0.

The bill passed its third reading 27-0.

Amendment to the Execution Bill

Justice, Constitution and Law Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained that the amendment would improve the cooperation among the different ministries’ computers in regards to population information. He said the amendment would also force government seizing authorities’ personnel to receive certification for their job through a training course.

The bill passed its second reading 29-0.

The bill passed its third reading 28-0.