Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Wednesday’s session lasted five and a half hours. Ten bills were discussed. Four bills advanced after passing their preliminary readings, two bills were turned into motions to avoid defeat, one bill was pulled back and not voted on, and three bills were defeated. Among the bills advanced were one that gives affirmative action in the civil service to Israelis who served three years in the army and one that prohibits cigarette vending machines in public places.

 

Non-Bills Summary

• Urgent queries were answered by Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) and Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.).
• International Holocaust Remembrance Day was marked by speeches from Prime Minister Netanyahu, Opposition Leader Livni and Deputy Prime Minister Shalom (Likud). Speaker Rivlin said a few words and acknowledged the only current holocaust survivor member of Knesset, Minister Peled (Likud).
• Three motions were discussed. A motion on the conclusions of the Turkel Commission was defeated 6-11, a motion on the Al Jazeera leaks was not voted on and a motion on expanding Route 6 southward was passed 3-0 and sent for further discussion in the Finance committee.
• Five queries were answered at the end of the session by Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.)

 

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Treatment of Mental Patients Bill

MK Ilatov (Y.B.) explained that a court sends a mental patient to an institution but the institution decides when to release the patient, as opposed to the court. He explained that his amendment would establish a court release program for mental patients to replace the current system, in which a judge would have to approve the institution’s request to release the patient.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) expressed government support for this bill, just like the three similar amendments proposed the week before.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 18-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendment to the Civil Service Bill

MK Amar (Y.B.) blasted those who desert the army. He explained that his amendment will give an incentive to those who serve their country for three years in the military. He said this bill sends a message to those who serve and to those who don’t serve. He announced his amendment would enforce affirmative action for all civil service appointments to those who served three years in the army. The Israeli-Arab MKs heckled Amar, and Speaker Rivlin called them to order.

The government decided not to take a formal position on the bill, and no minister spoke on the subject.

MK Oron (Meretz) objected to the bill and said that the government should be taking a stand on this bill. He complained that this bill will hurt unfairly those who received an exemption from the army for just causes. He called this a bad bill that is not fair and discriminates against people. He said he was proud of those who desert the army and he calls on all of Israel’s citizens to desert the army. He added he was proud that his family did not serve in the army.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 43-16-1 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

MK Yacimovich (Labor) explained that her amendment would force the national insurance to give money owed to a citizen straight to their bank account instead of going through a middle man. She proposed to try this bill as a test for a year to see its results.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) expressed government support for the bill. He said that the bill proposes seven cities to participate in the test and he wishes to raise that number to nine.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 46-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee should discuss the bill.

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

MK Ariel (N.U.) explained that his amendment would prohibit the placing of cigarette vending machines in all public places. He said that a person is allowed to smoke in the privacy of his own home, but in public places the government must fight it. He noted that many minors purchase cigarettes from vending machines and this bill will put an end to that as well.

Industry and Trade Minister Simhon (Independence) expressed government support for the bill and stressed that private companies can still use cigarette vending machines.

Speaker Rivlin revealed that he smoked for 40 years, from the age of 10 until 50. He praised the bill.

MK Ghilon (Meretz) said that as a smoker he opposes the bill, despite the known dangers of cigarettes. He said that he feels the government has no right to prohibit vending machines in public places. He said the country should stop persecuting smokers. He stressed his belief that this bill won’t stop people from smoking.

MK Ariel suggested Ghilon work with him on a bill that promotes anti-smoking education. He said that bill could go hand-and-hand with this bill.

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

Equal Opportunities in Residence Bill

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained that this bill would require equal opportunities to all people who wish to reside in any neighborhood they wish, regardless of age, race, sex, sexual orientation etc. He explained this bill would allow Arabs to live in Jewish-only towns. He said that his bill is in the spirit of the U.S. Supreme Court case Brown vs. the Board of Education and therefore should be accepted. He noted that his ultra-orthodox grandfather lived in Meah Shearim and while he doesn’t expect to live there, he wants to have the right to do so.

Minister Begin (Likud) said that he respects Khenin’s intentions but disagrees with the legislation. He said there is a limitation on the government’s interference in such matters. He expressed government opposition to the bill.

MK Khenin said that he appreciates Ministers Begin, Eitan and Meridor and Speaker Rivlin, who agree with him. Khenin said this is a time for action. MK Ben Ari heckled Khenin and was called to order by Speaker Rivlin. Khenin went on to attack the Rabbis’ decree against selling or renting to Arabs.

The bill was defeated 14-59-1.

Providing Water and Sewage Rate Discounts to Needy Populations Bill

MK Molla (Kadima) asked why there are discounts for city taxes but not for water bills. He demanded that needy people get discounts on their water bill and the ministry should decide who is eligible. He slammed the government for privatizing the water resources of the country.

Speaker Rivlin said that the bill will create a situation that would promote buying votes and he is against any bill that allows a minister to choose who gets a discount on an individual basis.

National Infrastructure Minister Landau (Y.B.) expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that if water rates are reduced, electricity will be next, and it won’t be the last. Landau said that the government can’t eliminate all of the poor peoples’ taxes. He noted the real poor people are receiving money and free housing from the government. He corrected Molla by informing him that it was his Kadima government who privatized some of the country’s water resources last term, and it wasn’t done this term. Landau announced that the government is working on a bill that will subsidize the water taxes for certain population groups.

MK Molla told the government to stop justifying themselves by blaming the previous administration. He said that the government has had two years to fix Olmert’s flawed decisions and instead have done nothing.

The bill was defeated 29-47.

Motion/Amendment to the Securities Bill

MK Shai (Kadima) explained that his amendment would regulate reports by corporations searching for oil and natural gases in order to prevent inflated numbers in the stock market. He said that his amendment will add eleven regulations.

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) suggested turning the bill into a motion, given that the government authorities have already started to implement Shai’s bill to the letter.

MK Shai agreed.

The motion passed 47-0-1 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

Amendment to the Income Support Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained that her amendment would allow a “deduction rate” for those who have reached retirement age and are eligible to receive a pension under foreign law. She said that 30,000 Russians are not receiving their foreign pensions because they live in Israel and her bill will grant them their full pensions out of the Israeli budget.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that it will cost the country NIS 40 million annually.

The bill was defeated 24-40.

Public Authority Identification Requirement on Official Calls Bill/Motion

MK Ganem (R.T.) explained that many people do not answer calls from blocked numbers. He warned that most public authority clerks and government officials call from blocked numbers and there are people who don’t answer those very important calls. He said that, under his bill, ministries, banks, hospitals and other vital public services would have to reveal their phone numbers when calling.

Bureaucracy Minister Eitan (Likud) praised the intention of the bill but explained that the technical requirements would force all public authorities to spend a lot of money replacing their current switchboard systems. He said it is an important idea and suggested turning the bill into a motion in order to discuss overcoming the technical challenges in the committee. Eitan added that he wants to improve the governments’ service when the citizen wants to call them back and can’t find the person he is looking for.

The motion passed 15-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

MK Oron (Meretz) explained that his amendment has been proposed in each of the previous four terms and has never passed. He announced his amendment would allow the partial absence from work due to the saving of a pregnancy. He said that the national insurance does not pay these pregnant women for the time they miss and his bill will entitle them to that money that they deserve. He agreed, given the government’s opposition to the bill, to pull his bill in order to avoid its defeat.

Tuesday’s session lasted about five hours. The government survived three no-confidence motions from six of the seven opposition parties. The Labor party MKs relished their first no-confidence motion. The no-confidence motions were moved to Tuesday because Monday held the annual mock-Knesset session for high school students. Four bills were discussed Tuesday. Three of them were advanced after passing their first readings and one bill became law after passing its third reading. The highlight bill of the day was one that would temporarily reduce real estate taxes.

 

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu buying power through money and has created a new low in politics’ was defeated 37-52 with 31 MKs not present.
• The Three Israeli-Arab parties’ no-confidence motion titled ‘Government policy encourages racist legislation’ was defeated 29-54 with 37 MKs not present.
• Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘Deterioration in Israel’s political status and continuing deepening social gaps’ was defeated 36-52 with 32 MKs not present.
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) reported his committee’s decisions on which disputed bills will be discussed in which committees. He also reported that MK Abesadze (Kadima) will replace MK Schneller (Kadima) in the State Comptroller Committee and that MK Katzeleh (N.U.) and MK Danon (Likud) would be added to an education subcommittee.
• A motion on Negev and Galil Day was discussed by ten MKs and summarized by Negev and Galil Minister Shalom (Likud). The motion passed 13-0 with one MK abstaining and will be discussed further in the plenum.
• MK Michaeli (Shas) expressed his desire to apply a continuity clause to a bill. It will be reviewed for the next two weeks, and objections may be added.

 

Bills Summary

Temporary Order on the Real-Estate Property Tax Bill

Finance Minister Steinitz explained that his amendment would tackle the housing crisis. He announced the reduction of taxes for those who are looking to fix up multiple apartments that are in their name in order to sell them, but for a limited time only. He said this bill would ease the process for those who wish to acquire an apartment because it would ease the process for those who wish to sell.  He added that people will be able to sell four apartments at once without needing to wait the mandatory cooling-off period in between. He stated this would increase the supply of residential apartments considerably.

MK Shama (Likud) praised the bill and said this bill will lower the prices of real estate when passed. He said the one problem with the bill is that investors might try to buy up the smaller apartments instead of the bigger apartments because of the tax breaks they are receiving across the board. He suggested pushing his bill instead, which is similar but has a clause that would keep the taxes on the smaller apartments high.  This would provide incentive for people to buy up to bigger places and to sell their smaller places, which would then lower the prices of the smaller places in the market.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) said this bill is stupid and won’t help anybody. He said it is absurd to think lowering taxes to encourage investors to sell will solve the housing shortage. He said that this is a band-aid and what is really needed is mass construction of houses and not some trick.

MK Ariel (N.U.) said that the finance ministry is causing the problem, not solving it. He stated that 20% of Israel’s annual construction is in Judea and Samaria and the building freeze is raising the housing prices dramatically. He blasted the finance ministry for not using their NIS 12 billion surplus to build more apartments. He blasted the government for raising taxes on gas and raising the prices of public transportation simultaneously.

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) offered a practical solution to duplicate former Prime Minister Sharon’s plan when he was housing minister in the beginning of the 1990s. He said that in two years the country built 120,000 homes for all of the Russian immigrants. Katzeleh said that Sharon’s plan is sitting in a drawer and should be taken out and used again.

MK Naffaa (Balad) said the bill is a positive step but does not go far enough. He stressed this bill will help Jews more than Arabs because there is a big shortage of housing in the Arab sector and this bill doesn’t answer that problem.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) said that the bill won’t create more housing and trusts the market to make the right moves. He said that he doesn’t trust the market and feels the country needs to approve building in the Negev and Galil.

MK Zeev (Shas) said the bill might encourage investors to sell, but it doesn’t help because no one has money to buy the apartments. He suggested that the investors might just switch apartments among each other and call it a day. He said most homeowners are leasing their apartments, and this bill might kick them to the curb. He stated that he expects rents to be raised as a result of this bill.

The bill passed its first reading 35-0 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

MK Elkin voted from MK Levin’s station by mistake. Speaker Rivlin counted his vote.

Amendment to the State Comptroller Bill

State Comptroller Committee Chairman Yoel Hasson explained that his bill would allow his committee to punish government officials who don’t cooperate with the committee or did not implement the decisions of the committee regarding their government job. He said that today there are several government officials who do not implement the decisions of the committee, which is illegal but in today’s law has no consequence. He said the punishment could include preventing their promotions or assessing fines.

The bill passed its second reading 8-0.

The bill passed its third reading 10-0.

MK Hasson thanked his assistants and his committee assistants for helping him with the bill.

Amendment to the Supervision over Schools Bill

Education Committee Chairman MK Miller (Y.B.) explained that the amendment would have the director-general of the education ministry confirm the appointment of all elementary and high school principals in Israel in order to fight the corruption of local authority mayors. He stated that it is a job given to friends in some cases, and he noted a city which has had 12 principals in 12 years.

MK Zeev said that this bill will not prevent unqualified people from being appointed as principals to educate our children. He said this bill will change who is giving the jobs from the mayor to the education ministry. He claimed that there is no way a man in Jerusalem knows who is fit to be a principle for an ultra-orthodox school in Bnei Brak or in an Arab town. He stressed that a principle needs more than a master’s degree to be a good educator.

MK Orlev (J.H.) defended his bill and said that a principal must have a master’s degree. He said the education ministry must determine the criteria of who is fit and also must be able to appoint its own people.

MK Tirosh (Kadima) noted that it won’t be a retroactive bill. She told Zeev not to worry because it will keep the current principals who are unqualified in their positions since the bill only applies to the appointment of future principals.

The bill passed its first reading 7-1 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

MK Tirosh explained her amendment would force cars that transport students to install a front car mirror. She expressed this would reduce the number of child injuries and deaths.

MK Zeev praised the bill and demanded that it also apply to all buses and transport vans.

The bill passed its first reading 4-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Wednesday’s session lasted about eight hours. Fourteen bills were discussed. Five bills were advanced, one was turned into a motion and two delayed their vote in order to avoid defeat, while five bills were defeated. A recycling bill was passed in its third reading. The main event of the idea was the swearing in of the new government. Three ministers resigned, two deputy ministers were promoted to ministers, and two ministers received promotions through additional ministerial responsibilities. The long discussion on the changes in the government overshadowed the bills discussed earlier in the day. The changes in the government were approved 53-40 with 27 MKs not present for the vote. Seven Kadima MKs were removed from the plenum after spraying air freshener cans to protest the “stinky” deal in which the Labor party’s 13 seats split. Defense Minister Barak created the Independence party with five MKs, including himself, leaving Labor with eight MKs. Independence will remain in the coalition and Labor will head to the opposition. Netanyahu’s majority shrinks from 74 to 66, while the opposition strengthens its numbers from 46 to 54.

 

Non-Bills Summary

• Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon (Y.B.) and Deputy Defense Minister Vilnai (Labor) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session. Vilnai would become part of the new Independence faction at the end of the session.
• Five of the six motions discussed were passed by the votes 8-0, 10-1, 6-0, 10-0 and 7-0. One motion was defeated 2-8.

 

Bills Summary

Three Amendments to the Treatment of Mental Patients Bill

MK Orlev (J.H.) explained that a court sends a mental patient to an institution but the institution decides when to release the patient, as opposed to the court. He explained that his amendment would establish a court release program for mental patients to replace the current system.

MK Azoulay (Shas) complained about the current situation where the judge sends the patient to the institution but has no power to keep him there or ask for his release. He explained that his similar amendment would inform the judge who sent the patient to an institution when he is released.

MK Zuaretz (Kadima) blasted the current system where the institution has power to decide whether a patient is fit to be released without the court’s position. She explained that her amendment is similar to Orlev’s and Azoulay’s and asked the Knesset to approve her bill as well.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) expressed government support for all three of the bills. He stated that MK Levy-Abekasis passed a similar bill earlier in the month. He noted that all of the bills will be merged into one bill in the committee.

The first bill passed its preliminary reading 25-0.

The second bill passed its preliminary reading 32-0.

The third bill passed its preliminary reading 27-0.

The three bills were merged and sent to the Health Committee.

Speaker Rivlin wished Minister Peled a happy 70^th birthday.

Amendment to the Water and Sewage Bill

MK Bielski (Kadima) explained that his amendment will prohibit the cancellation of self-run water and sewage services. He complained that the water reform will cost the public millions of shekels for no reason. He explained that his bill would allow each mayor to decide if they want a self-run water and sewage service or if they prefer a government one. He noted the several mayors in the audience that day who will derail any attempt to force upon them an arrangement they don’t accept. Bielski agreed to postpone voting for the bill in order to gain government support.

Amendment to the City Unions Bill

MK Danon (Likud) explained that his amendment would expand the powers of city unions’ recycling programs.

Speaker Rivlin said he would not wait for the minister to return and would go to a vote immediately.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 25-1 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Knesset Bill (Adjustment to the Basic Law: Knesset)

MK Levin (Likud) explained that his amendment will move certain paragraphs from the Knesset Bill to the Basic Law: Knesset, and therefore strengthen them.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill. He said that he approves strengthening the Basic Law: Knesset, and questioned the need for a regular Knesset Bill.

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

Amendment to the Prohibition of Kosher Fraud Bill

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) explained that his amendment would prohibit the Supreme Court from ruling on the considerations of what is considered to be kosher enough for a rabbinate supervision certificate. He blasted the Supreme Court and said that the rabbis will decide what kosher is and will not allow some judge to overrule those decisions. He explained that Israel’s Chief Rabbi Amar requested this bill. He stated it was important to keep the definitions of what is kosher within the rabbinate.

Speaker Rivlin said that, as a traditional person and someone who respects religion and tries to keep kosher, he’d like Katzeleh to delay the vote on the bill in order to win over government support. Speaker Rivlin suggested that the bill not be brought up for a vote today and defeated. Katzeleh agreed to postpone the vote on the bill for one week.

Amendment to the National Health Insurance Bill

MK Sarsur (R.T.) complained that national health insurance is not free because all citizens pay a regressive health tax that is taken from their paycheck.  He blasted the high cost of specialist doctors and the fact that several patients must pay for at least part of their surgeries. He explained that his amendment would give patients a full refund for services they must seek elsewhere when the national health clinics are closed on the Sabbath and holidays.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman asked to turn the bill into a motion. Sarsur rejected the option. Litzman said that the budget needed for this bill is enormous and that the government and his ministry have no money to implement it and are therefore against it.

The bill was defeated 16-39.

Amendment to the Dying Patient Bill

MK Oron (Meretz) explained that his amendment would allow a doctor to write a prescription of death if requested to do so by the patient. He explained further that the bill would prohibit the doctor from making an active effort to extend the life of a person who is on life support or on breathing or feeding tubes beyond a six month period if such a prescription is written. He said that the bill might present a moral dilemma, but if a person is suffering and they are going to die anyway, why not allow them to die peacefully and with respect. He noted that this bill passed in the United States 14 years ago and that an average of only 60 people per year exercise their right to die. He called this bill a responsible solution to a big problem that has no other solutions.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman said the original bill is very delicate and represents a consensus from most of the parties in the Knesset. Litzman explained that allowing a doctor to write a prescription of death is something that 48 states in America do not offer. He noted that only Washington and Oregon have such a law and that the bill has been actively opposed in over 20 states.

MK Oron charged that Litzman is against the bill because it is against Jewish law. He said that he wonders how long the country can stand with two separate value systems.

The bill was defeated 16-48-2.

Amendment to the National Health Insurance Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained that his amendment would force the clinics to send the 17 Transfer Form (hitchayvut, or agreement to pay) directly to the hospitals that provide the services. He said that this bill will ease the bureaucracy on the citizen. He said that in an age when everything is computerized there is no reason not to simplify things.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman said that he agrees with the intentions of the bill but there is no reason to pass a bill on the subject. He informed that he already made a provision on this and his ministry will implement the change by the end of 2013.

MK Sheetrit said if Litzman agrees with the intentions of the bill he should support the bill. Litzman suggested a motion, but Sheetrit rejected the suggestion and demanded it pass as a bill.

The bill was defeated 20-43.

Requirement on Reporting Financial Institutions and Unclaimed Money Bill

MK Sheetrit said many people are entitled to money they inherited but have no clue that the money is waiting for them. He said that in the United States, Britain and France a free website exists which allows people to search for their families’ inheritance. He said that right now there is approximately NIS 15-25 billion sitting in the government vault that belongs to the public and something must be done to allow the citizens to claim the money that is rightfully theirs.

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) said that Sheetrit is bringing up a real problem that needs a real solution. He said that the solution Sheetrit is offering will harm the privacy and confidentiality of the families. He stated that the Security Authority is responsible for finding those who inherit the money if the account has not been accessed after ten years and they are not allowed to take any of that money. He said his ministry has created a situation that motivates the Authority to find the owners of the accounts.

MK Sheetrit said that the finance ministry has lowered the earning of those who manage the accounts from 0.6% to 0.25%, and that it is not a worthwhile enticement to locate the rightful owners. Sheetrit suggested that, if Steinitz agreed with him on the problem and is not offering a solution, perhaps the government should support the bill. He said that today there is no incentive for those who are managing the accounts to ever report the accounts or find their rightful owners.

The bill was defeated 21-43.

Civil Service Bill

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) explained that his original bill would force the ultra-orthodox to serve in the military or in the civil service. He predicted the countless protests across the country over the last week against the ultra-orthodox community who refuse to be drafted are only the beginning. He warned that Israeli society will not tolerate the current situation much longer. He warned that the demographics present a fear that a majority of Israelis will be ultra-orthodox or Arab and therefore not serve in the army. He said that only 4% of the population does more than 4 days of reserve duty per year, which represents 1 in 22 people. He slammed the Israeli-Arab leaders for shunning Arab youth who join the civil service. He blasted the ultra-orthodox for keeping their community from integrating into Israeli society. He said that he is ashamed that there are leftists who get out of army duty.  He called on all of Israel’s citizens to serve the country in some way. He called on the MKs to send a message by supporting his bill.

Science and Technology Minister Hershkowitz (J.H.) said that he personally believes that serving in the army is not an option but a must. He stated that he served in the army and all of his children did as well. He said that it is a very delicate matter that can’t be dealt with as an MK bill and needs to be dealt with as a government bill. He said the government bill that will be proposed on the subject has over 90 paragraphs and is wide spread and not up for interpretation. He criticized the current bill as being too short and simple. He warned it would cause violent unrest from the Arabs, ultra-orthodox and national religious women and said therefore the government is against this bill.

MK Hasson said that the government is stubborn and insensitive toward the citizens that do serve their country by allowing bureaucratic obstacles to prevent others from joining them. He attacked Defense Minister Barak and said that the position of defense minister is a right and not a job. He promised to bring the bill again in six months after it is defeated today. He went on to spend the next five minutes screaming at Defense Minister Barak, whose response was one long smirk.

The bill was defeated 22-61.

Motion/Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

MK Bielski discussed the tragedy of road deaths for several minutes. He noted that many of the dead were riding motorcycles. He explained that his amendment would allow motorcycles in public transportation lanes.

Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) said that the government opposed the bill on the grounds that there is no need to take a small thing and turn it into legislation. He said he was willing to turn the bill into a motion and see what can be done to advance the idea. He expressed hope that this would change citizens’ day to day routines and make our country greener. He thanked the sponsor of the bill, Bielski, who has worked on this bill for over a year.

MK Bielski agreed.

The motion passed 47-1 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Regulating the Treatment Packages Bill

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) explained that his bill would increase the number of cities that participate in recycling programs and create recycling centers that will create new jobs. He explained that the bill would also force all factories to recycle what they can and will bring private recycling bins to citizens’ homes in certain cities.

MK Yisrael Hasson (Kadima) said his bill will force all industries to recycle items that can be recycled. He hoped that a new recycling market will create several new companies and jobs. He noted that the bill will start to take effect in 2015 and will conclude by 2020. He went on to discuss for fifteen minutes the technicalities of the bill. He asked the Knesset to vote for his two objections and for the bill.

Environment Minister Erdan expressed government support for the objections in the bill.

The objections were passed 9-0 and 9-0.

The bills paragraphs passed their second readings 9-0, 9-0, 9-0, 9-0, 9-0.

The bill passed its third reading 9-0.

Government announcement on cessation of service of cabinet ministers, the expiry of tenure of deputy ministers, government ministers join the distribution and changes in government functions

Environment Minister Erdan stated that Labor ministers Industry and Trade Minister Ben Eliezer, Labor and Welfare Minister Herzog and Minority Affairs Minister Braverman resigned on Monday and their resignation went into effect 48 hours later, which is today (Wednesday). He stated that former Labor MKs Agriculture Minister Simhon, Deputy Defense Minister Vilnai and Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Noked have left their positions. He explained that all together four ministers and two deputy ministers will no longer remain in the offices in which they sat since the government was formed at the beginning of the term. Erdan went on to announce that the two former deputy ministers Vilnai and Noked would be promoted to ministers and Simhon would be promoted to a different portfolio. The new positions are Industry and Trade Minister and Minorities Minister Simhon (Independence), Homefront Command Minister Vilnai (Independence) and Agriculture Minister Noked (Independence). In addition, Communications Minister Kahlon (Likud) will be the new Labor and Welfare Minister as well. He concluded by announcing that Defense Minister Barak (Independence) will remain in his position.

MK Sheetrit called this the blackest week in Knesset that he has experienced in his 30 years as an MK. He stated that coalition MKs are taking anti-nausea medication so they can stomach voting for the new government. He said that Barak has run away again and that the 5 Independence MKs are dead politically. He asked Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop the madness in which there are more ministers and deputy ministers than coalition MKs and there is no separation of powers between the legislators and the executive branch. Sheetrit concluded by calling on Netanyahu to call for new elections and to go home.

MK Oron said that no coalitions MKs are present because the coalitions MKs are embarrassed. He asked why Barak would leave his party to stay defense minister. He stated that if Barak’s discretion within the party is this bad, his discretion as defense minister must be worse, and it will be hard for him (Oron) to sleep at night. Oron said that at least the opposition grew today in the numbers and that the bluffs are off the table.

MK Ghilon (Meretz) said that in his experience in politics anything is possible, even this. He said that the public doesn’t care about this trick and they really don’t care who the old or the new agriculture minister is. He wondered if the apathy could help bring a new alternative that would start with the separation of church from state and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

MK Avraham Balila (Kadima) said that the evil racist government has no shame. She said this deal’s stench does not reach Shalom, Matan, Orit, Einat and Ehud, who now have assured their job security for the next year, but the stench reaches everyone else. She said that the extremist right-wing fringe government is sick and unfortunately not just a bad joke. She warned that Barak’s corrupt bargain is political suicide. She asked Minister Meridor where he is hiding today. She concluded that the price of this government is too high and it must be stopped at once.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) said that no one needs to be a political analyst to see that when a party of five seats receives four ministries there is corruption in the air. He said that the Independence Party is hurting the Knesset’s standing and is an utter embarrassment. He said the voters of Labor feel that Barak sold their votes for nothing. He said that Defense Minister Barak no longer has integrity and can’t lead Israel in a war and must resign at once. He concluded by thanking Barak for finally taking Labor out of the government.

MK Khenin (Hadash) said that all the masks are off. He stated that the leader of the peace camp and the one joined the most right-wing government in Israel’s history, has shown his real face for the first time in his political career. He called Barak the biggest opportunist in political history and laughed that in a year he might no longer be in the chair he enjoys so much.

MK Zuaretz (Kadima) said that Barak only cares about his personal interests and his chair and that is why he has been sucking up to Netanyahu. She blasted the increase of the government’s indirect taxes. She said Barak is not a leader but a “jobnick”.

MK Shai (Kadima) said that the four MKs who went with Barak won the lottery and will receive pay bonuses and bigger offices. He warned that the rest of the MKs and the country have lost.

MK Katzeleh said that he doesn’t blame Barak for this trick but he does blame Netanyahu. He asked Netanyahu why he raised the flag of the right and went to the Labor party. He called on Netanyahu to ditch the Independence party and bring the National Union party into the coalition and create a real right-wing government. He noted that 40,000 Jerusalem people are living in garages and storage rooms waiting for the building in Jerusalem to resume. He slammed Netanyahu and told him if he returned to the army today no one would follow him because he has no integrity and is not trustworthy.

MK Boim (Kadima) said he didn’t believe that Netanyahu supported the Sheshinski Committee because that was the first smart decision Netanyahu has made since he was elected Prime Minister. He blasted Netanyahu for spending most of his time dealing with politics instead of action. He said that the Labor party received independence from Barak as their chairman, Barak received independence from the title of the leader of the peace camp, Netanyahu received independence from his Bar Ilan speech, in which he agreed to a Palestinian state, and Abu Mazen received independence.

MK Molla (Kadima) blasted the “stinky deal of 2011”. He said that Barak ran away and is a deserter. He called on the military police to arrest the defense minister for running away from the left and joining the right. He said that Barak prefers an extremist right-wing government with Lieberman to the Labor party. He called the Independence party a stinky party and a Bibi-job party. He laughed that their chairperson is an MK who entered the Knesset less than a year ago and is on maternity leave. He blasted Barak for accepting Katzeleh’s policies and called on purifying the government. Deputy Speaker Akunis (Likud) suggested that Molla explain himself and Molla indicated that he misspoke.

MK Zahalka (Balad) said the evolution of the Israeli political parties is an interesting subject. He noted how the Labor party has moved around over the years. He wondered if there would be another split in the Labor party and some MKs would join Kadima. He said that he isn’t shedding any tears for Labor’s collapse. He concluded by mocking Minister Kahlon.

MK Eldad (N.U.) recalled the Labor party primary between Barak and Ami Ayalon in which the Arab vote was the deciding factor that gave Barak his victory. He accused Barak of blackmailing the leaders of Arab towns. He said there is no other reason why over 90% of the Arabs voted for Barak. He concluded that Barak is a dirty politician who will do anything to stay in power.

MK Yisrael Hasson said that Netanyahu took the symbol of the party that built the country and the symbol of one of Israel’s biggest heroes and buried them in a donkey’s grave.

MK Yoel Hasson said that he didn’t believe Barak and Netanyahu would do such a thing, and thought it was some pre-April fool’s joke when he first heard of the deal. He said Barak and Netanyahu are the architects of destruction, lies, survival and the end of democracy as we know it. He suggested that the coalition stop, shut up and go out to the street and ask people what they think of it. He said the government is causing its citizens to throw up. He warned that good citizens are running away from politics. He called Barak an opportunist, desperate and willing to do anything to keep his seat. He concluded Barak is not a leader but a joke.

MK Ben Simon (Labor) said that the Netanyahu-Lieberman-Barak government is finally complete because Barak has finally found himself. He thanked Barak for leaving and enabling the Labor party voters to come home. He said that Barak has only brought negativity to everyone around him.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) quoted Ben Gurion, who said that all of biblical Israel that is under Israeli control may not be given away to anybody. He called on the Independence party to return to Ben Gurion’s ways. He blasted Kadima for creating the loophole that the Independence party used and for denying it.

MK Cabel (Labor) said the shehechiyanu blessing (blessing for new things). He told the Likud that Barak is all theirs, a free present without tax. He said he has been waiting for this day for two years, a day where the capitalistic Barak who lives in the exclusive Akirov Towers is finally gone. He said that today he is no longer a rebel, and he is finally home, at least for now.

MK Abesadze (Kadima) said that the three musketeers of Netanyahu-Lieberman-Barak is a catastrophe. She called on Netanyahu to forget Iran and look within for once and to stop being removed from society.

MK Naffaa (Balad) said that there is racism in this government and he fears today the racist government will get stronger.

MK Braverman (Labor) said Barak has named Lieberman the de-facto prime minister of Israel. He said the government has lost its moral right to exist and will cease to exist soon. MK Avraham Balila heckled former minister Braverman, and Deputy Speaker Majadele almost threw her out after calling her to order. He thanked Netanyahu for allowing him to succeed in his post of minister of minority affairs. He concluded by saying that he believes in the future of the Labor party.

MK Peretz (Labor) said this would be the shortest speech of his life. He thanked Ehud Barak for showing Israel what corruption really is and stepped down from the podium.

MK Whbee (Kadima) said the government is corrupt. He said he doesn’t understand how a party of five seats can receive four ministries and a committee chairmanship. He noted that the coalition agreement that was signed with the 13 Labor MKs two years ago was copied and became the agreement for 5 MKs. Whbee said he can’t wait until Lieberman decides to resign and bring down the government.

MK Herzog (Labor) said he was overwhelmed with emotion on the day he was leaving his ministry. He said Barak is no Ben Gurion or Sharon. He suggested disbelievers should avoid eulogizing the Labor party and instead watch it rise once again. He said he will offer a socialist alternative to Barak and will win. He said he understands the challenge and accepts it. He wished his replacement Minister Kahlon luck on his new job.

MK Zeev (Shas) was the only coalition MK to speak. He said that in divorce court, both parties think they got the better deal when the divorce is final. He suggested that the Labor and Independence parties are both better off divorced than they were together. Zeev said that Barak showed leadership by staying in the coalition instead of giving in to his party’s demands. He said that he opposes all of the previous speakers who have spread hatred with their speeches. He asked from the bottom of his heart for the MKs to stop the incitement because we are people before we are politicians.

MK Plesner (Kadima) tried to begin his speech, but Minister Erdan heckled him. Deputy Speaker Majadele told Erdan to be quiet, but Erdan refused. MK Ben Ari got in on the action and was removed from the plenum as Deputy Speaker Majadele announced he was a proud Palestinian Israeli. Pandemonium broke out in the plenum. After a few minutes order returned.

Plesner began his speech by attacking Erdan, Labor, Barak, Independence, Likud, Lieberman, Yishai and the entire government. He eulogized the Labor party and called this discussion its funeral. He stated that Barak’s embarrassment is forcing Ben Gurion, Eshkol and Meir to turn in their graves. He charged that Netanyahu bought five seats in a corrupt bargain. He said there are two alternatives to this government Lieberman-Yishai or Kadima.

MK Ariel (N.U.) asked individually each minister present- Katz, Eitan, Margi, Neeman and others- why they are supporting Barak freezing the building in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem. He called the government a circus that is led by the ringmaster Netanyahu. He blasted Netanyahu for promising right and going left. He said Netanyahu’s yes men have their time limited because we are going to elections, and the only question left is when.

Environment Minister Erdan blasted Deputy Speaker Majadele, which caused pandemonium once again. Speaker Rivlin took control of the discussion and regained order. Erdan assured the opposition that the government will finish out the term as expected. He said the Likud has done more for the country than Kadima ever has or ever will. He called Kadima the refugees of Likud and Labor. Screaming and shouting started, and Speaker Rivlin restored order. Erdan said that Kadima is undemocratic and was founded when Sharon left the Likud and took the refugees from various parties. Screaming and shouting resumed, and Speaker Rivlin restored order. Erdan said that Barak has done more for the country than Yoel Hasson ever will. He said that the Likud never bashed Tzippi Livni for leaving the Likud and he expected Kadima to show some respect and dignity. He said the one thing that Kadima has going for them is that the press loves them. He warned Kadima they shouldn’t talk about morals because they created most of the country’s problems and the Likud is trying to fix them. Pandemonium broke out after his speech, and Speaker Rivlin took a few minutes to quiet the opposition before he started the vote.

The changes in the government were approved 53-40.

Oath of office of members of the government

At least seven Kadima MKs opened up air freshener cans and sprayed the plenum in protest of the “stinky” deal, and they were all forcefully removed from the plenum. There could have been more than seven who sprayed, but it is hard to tell because all of the Kadima MKs left the plenum to boycott the ceremony with those who were thrown out. The seven removed were MKs Yoel Hasson, Shai, Molla, Zuaretz, Abesadze, Hermesh and Whbee. Netanyahu laughed at the spectacle. Speaker Rivlin screamed at the MKs and called them an embarrassment to democracy.

Agriculture Minister Noked (Independence) was sworn in to her new position and received kisses from Speaker Rivlin and Barak following the ceremony.

Home Front Defense Minister Vilnai (Independence) was sworn in to his new position and received hugs from Speaker Rivlin and Barak.

Speaker Rivlin called for a two minute recess to allow Noked and Vilnai to receive hugs and kisses from coalition member MKs and ministers.

Tuesday’s session lasted two hours and forty five minutes. Five bills were discussed, and they were all advanced after passing their first readings. Among the bills were a bill that would limit the purchase and transfer of Israel’s land rights to foreigners and a bill that would force all telecommunications and broadcasting companies to offer a free parent lock to block malicious web sites.

 

Non-Bills Summary

• 14 MKs participated in the one-minute speech segment.
• Speaker Rivlin greeted World WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organization), who marked 90 years of activity. A motion on the subject was discussed by two MKs.
• Two motions were discussed by a combined four MKs at the end of the session. Both motions were passed and sent for further discussion in the Knesset committees by the votes 8-0 and 5-0.

 

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Youth Bill

MK Levy-Abekasis (Y.B.) explained that her amendment would offer both care and supervision of minors who commit a crime by protecting them against harmful publications about crimes they committed or private information that can be found on the internet.

MK Molla (Kadima) said that the bill was important and he supported it but wondered which minister would enforce this bill. He went on to slam the government for five minutes. Speaker Rivlin asked Molla to step down from the podium if he supports the bill and plans on criticizing the government in the time he has left.

MK Ghilon (Meretz) said he supported the bill, even though it comes from the party that he despises the most.

MK Zeev (Shas) said he supported the bill. He gave an example of four yeshiva students who were wrongly named on an internet site as criminals and now will not be accepted into the army. He hoped this bill would change these things.

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

Amendment to the Land Bill

MK Orbach (J.H.) explained that an apartment may run a Shabbat elevator if a simple majority, or 51%, of the residents wish to have one. He informed that this will force the 49% of the building that do not want to use the Shabbat elevator to use it, but they will be exempt from paying for it. He noted countless court cases on the subject and said he felt this was the best solution. He said he hopes that this will encourage religious people to move into buildings with secular people.

MK Ilatov (Y.B.) said that he has objected to the bill for eight months and after countless compromises in the committee he feels good with the bill.

MK Zeev said the bill doesn’t go far enough and suggested demanding that all the residents of the building pay for the Shabbat elevator, just like they have to pay for other things they don’t necessarily want in their building.

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

Amendment to the Israel Lands Bill

MK Shai (Kadima) explained that his amendment would limit the purchase and transfer of Israel’s land rights to foreigners. He informed the plenum that the Israel land reform created an atmosphere where foreigners were able to come in and buy up large packages of Israeli land, and his bill will place certain restrictions on foreigners doing so. He noted that several democratic countries, including practically all of Europe, have passed this very bill in the past few years. He said that many foreigners own property in Israel and do not live here, thereby increasing the housing shortage. He stated that the bill would not violate any international agreements that Israel has signed.

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) informed that it is not just residential, but tens of thousands of agricultural dunams have been bought up by foreigners as well, particularly in Zikhron Ya’akov and Binyamina. He called on the government to investigate these occurrences. He stated that with the illegal immigrants and these foreigners closing in on us, Israel’s Jews are running out of land.

MK Ariel (N.U.) blasted the housing shortage and crisis. He revealed that he proposed a similar bill earlier in the term that did not receive government support. He called the trouble in the Labor party a circus. He attacked MKs who promise one thing before elections and do the complete opposite when they are elected. He slammed Kadima and Sharon as the ones who started the business of splitting up parties. He said that he hopes the circus leaves town soon.

MK Molla reminded Ariel that after the split between Kadima and Likud, Prime Minister Sharon called elections and the public gave Kadima 29 seats and the Likud 12. Ariel and Katzeleh walked out as Molla was talking. Molla went on to make excuses for Sharon and concluded by expressing his support for the bill.

MK Eldad (N.U.) mocked Molla at the beginning of his speech and called him a sour pickle. Eldad said that he supports the bill and the supervision of selling property to foreigners. He suggested looking at Jerusalem as the top priority of the bill and stopping the Saudi prince from buying up new Jewish neighborhoods.

MK Yacimovich (Labor) stated that the sin of privatizing the land of Israel has brought upon Israel this disaster of foreigners buying it up. She said that this bill was born as a band aid to try to slowly avoid the inevitable end of Zionism, which the privatization created. She expressed support for the bill and hope that this search and rescue mission is successful but said she remained pessimistic.

MK Zeev slammed the P.A. for passing a law that says that any Palestinian who sells land to a Jew will be sentenced to death. He also blasted former Likud politician Dov Weissglass for assisting Abu Dhabi citizens in buying up Jewish apartments in the old city of Jerusalem. He called Palestine and Saudi Arabia enemies that must be fought in the realm of this bill and many other bills to come.

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

Amendment to the Communications Bill

MK Miller (Y.B.) said that this bill was the most important bill he has brought in front of the Knesset this term. He explained his amendment would force all telecommunications and broadcasting companies to offer a free parent lock to block malicious web sites and content from children. He said that right now there are parent locks, but they cost money, and this bill will force the companies to give it to their customers as a free service. He expressed hope that this bill, when passed, will protect children from malicious content.

MK Ariel said that as a father he supports the bill that brings order to the jungle we call the internet. He said he hopes this bill keeps the bad animals in the jungle and allows our children to surf without worries. He praised Miller for presenting a medication to the disease called the internet.

MK Katzeleh said that he feels that it is a good bill but that it should also apply to radio. He said that radio shows incite racism against religious people, immigrants, nationalistic people and settlers. He expressed fear that the youth will be influenced by such things and will act violently against Israel’s minorities. He blasted radio journalist Moshe Hanegbi. He called on the public to send him emails at katzya@knesset.gov.il about Hanegbi, and he will read them out every week from the Knesset podium.

MK Zeev blasted television and its slutty reality television shows. He said that television is a drug and it is worse than the internet. He said that it is harder to recover from television and the internet than alcohol. He expressed regret that this legislation will not do enough because children will find a way to get around the parental controls. He called on Israel to show some principles and morals instead of watching terrible television shows. He concluded by slamming Facebook, which is not included in the parent block.

MK Eldad said that just by going to a news website one can find a slutty advertisement. He went on to blast the government for not arresting those who incite to kill him and instead selectively choose to arrest those who wish to kill left-wing figures. He asked how a person who tells him that he wants to shoot him in front of his kids can be allowed to walk freely, but someone who posts a youtube video is arrested.

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

Amendment to the Career Soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces Service Bill

The following was presented the previous Tuesday and brought for a vote today.

“MK Schneller (Kadima) explained that his amendment would allow career soldiers the benefits they are entitled to by the government security industries. He gave an example of a computer specialist who worked in the army for twenty years and realizes that if he works privately after he retires he will pay very high taxes and barely make any money. He said those talented people go overseas instead. He stated that this bill would prevent that very situation. He said that because the government was opposing the bill, even though they supported it in its preliminary reading, he would not request a vote on it.”

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

Monday’s session lasted five hours and fifteen minutes. Eight bills were discussed. Seven bills became law after passing their third readings. One bill was advanced after passing its first reading. The new laws included extensions for allowing Israelis to be drafted as policemen and prison guards instead of soldiers.

 

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu isolated Israel in a series of political actions and omissions’ was defeated 34-51-1.
• The three Israeli Arab parties’ no-confidence motion titled ‘Planning and Building in Arab communities’ was defeated 29-54.
• Speaker Rivlin eulogized former MK David Coren, a Labor MK from 1969-1977.
• The Government announcement on the transfer of powers surrounding Israel’s firefighters from Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) to Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch was discussed by six MKs and approved 29-4.
• The Government request to extend the validity of the temporary order of the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Bill was approved 28-9.
• Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman MK Rotem (Y.B.) outlined the decision of his committee to correct a technical change in the Amendment of the Children Adoption Bill. It was approved 8-0.
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) announced which disputed bills would be discussed in which committees.

 

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Security Service Bill

Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman MK Mofaz (Kadima) informed the plenum that in 2005 the government made a decision to move all of the military prisons which hold security prisoners (such as Ofer and Kesiot) from the military to prison services. This caused a manpower issue, which was solved by a temporary order allowing the placement of soldiers into the prison service as part of their mandatory military service for five years until the end of 2010. Mofaz said that his committee wishes to extend this temporary order for another year. Meretz announced they would oppose the bill, but did not explain why.

The bill passed its second reading 38-3.

The bill passed its third reading 39-2.

Amendment to the Security Service Bill

Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman MK Mofaz explained that his temporary order would allow the placement of soldiers into the police service as part of their mandatory military service. He said police manpower is very low and they need increased “bodies”. He explained that the temporary order will extend this arrangement for another six months.

The bill passed its second reading 35-1.

The bill passed its third reading 31-1.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

Funds Committee Chairman MK Gafni (U.T.J.) explained that this bill was part of the Arrangements Bill. He said the bill would change the tax exemptions given to employers who hire college students to do research and tax exemptions on scholarships given to college students.

The bill passed its second reading 20-0.

The bill passed its third reading 20-0.

Amendment to the Streamlining the Enforcement Process of the Securities Authority Bill

Funds Committee Chairman MK Gafni said that this bill was the biggest bill his committee has received this year, even bigger than the Arrangements Bill. He explained that the bill will bring an entire reform to the Securities Authority.

MK Oron said he was worried that the bill would violate citizens’ basic rights but hopes that the committee found a good balance. He praised Gafni for working together with the opposition on this bill and others in order to show wall-to-wall support on these important bills.

The bill passed its second reading 25-0.

The bill passed its third reading 27-0.

Funds Committee Chairman MK Gafni explained that it was difficult to pass such a big bill without any opposition.  He thanked his assistants and the committee assistants for helping him get there.

Amendment to the Economic Efficiency Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman MK Katz explained that the amendment on the implementation of the economic program for 2009 and 2010 would allow citizens to place money in older provident funds for another year.

The bill passed its second reading 26-0.

The bill passed its third reading 24-0.

Amendment to the Prison Service Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch explained that the amendment would prevent a security prisoner from meeting with a lawyer when it is suspected that the prisoner will use that meeting to compromise national security or cause rioting within the prison. He explained that certain lawyers are messengers of terrorist organizations and they use loopholes in order to meet and conspire with the jailed security prisoners.

MK Khenin (Hadash) objected to the bill and said that meeting a lawyer is not a privilege but a right, and without it there is no justice system. He criticized the fact that in certain situations a judge can extend this clause and prevent a prisoner from seeing a lawyer for six months. He said that this bill seriously questions the legitimacy of the Israeli justice system.

The bill passed its first reading 16-4 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Contracts Bill

Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman MK Rotem (Y.B.) explained that the amendment would change the law to overrule a Supreme Court ruling that allows one to read a contract in two different ways.

The bill passed its second reading 10-0.

The bill passed its third reading 10-0.

MK Levin (Likud) said that he was proud to sponsor a bill that clarifies the law and overrules a pointless Supreme Court ruling. He thanked his assistants and co-sponsors and the MKs who approved the bill.

Amendment to the Municipal Taxes and the Government Taxes Ordinance Bill

MK Orlev (J.H.) explained that his amendment would provide a tax exemption for youth hostels and field schools. He went on to thank the lobbyists who brought this bill to him and his assistants.

The bill passed its second reading 4-0.

The bill passed its third reading 6-0.