Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Last Wednesday’s session lasted about five hours. Eleven bills were discussed. Five bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings, two bills were pulled in order to avoid defeat and four bills were defeated. The bills advanced dealt with alcoholic beverage recycling labels, the considerations for releasing mentally ill patients, adding the army’s chief rabbi to Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Council and recognizing Jerusalem as a priority “A” area.

Non-Bills Summary

• Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) and Culture and Sports Minister Livnat (Likud) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.
• MK Rotem announced the House Committee’s decisions about which disputed bills would be discussed in which committees.
• A motion on the Government exempting haredim from the army was discussed by 14 MKs. The opposition MKs’ proposals on the motion were defeated 10-29, 11-26-2 and 11-29. The coalition proposal was accepted 24-10.
• Two other motions were discussed. Two Shas MKs discussed Minister Yishai’s lynching by Ahuva Tomer’s life partner. That motion was not voted on. Five MKs discussed the demolition of the Shepherd Hotel; the motion was defeated 1-5.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Compensation on Recycling Beverage Containers Bill

MK Vaknin (Shas) explained that his amendment is a technical change that would delay the increase of the recycling refund of alcoholic beverages from 25 agurot to 30 agurot for labels that were printed before the bill passed and that would give the companies an extra six months to sell their merchandise at the 25 agurot rate.

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

MK Horowitz (Meretz) objected to the bill and said that the companies shouldn’t get an extra six months to rip off the public. He attacked the companies for refusing to include all bottles in the recycling refund bill. He noted that when the bill passed in April no one thought they would ask for more extensions. Horowitz pondered if this would be the last extension.

MK Vaknin said that Horowitz didn’t understand the bill. He explained that no matter what the public will receive 30 agurot per bottle. He informed the technical change is that the label may remain with a 25 agurot symbol for another six months. He said there is no reason to force the companies to waste money on changing the labels.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 32-2 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Treatment of Mental Patients Bill

MK Regev (Likud) explained that her amendment would make stricter the considerations for the release of mentally ill patients who are hospitalized because of violent acts and those who have been committed as mentally ill patients by a court order sentence. She hoped that this bill would prevent violent mentally ill people from attacking others.

Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 44-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendment to the Elections Bill

MK Tiviaev (Kadima) explained that his amendment would prevent election fraud by printing a barcode on each voting slip. He quoted Churchill, who said that democracy is not perfect, but it is the best way to govern. Tiviaev suggested that the act of giving people their voting slips before they show up to the polls reminds him of a dictatorship. He slammed Yisrael Beitenu and Shas for finding the cracks in the Israeli system and suggested that they are the parties that are trying to defeat this bill.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) said that he and the government object to the bill. He said that the assumption behind the bill insults the intelligence of the voters.

MK Tiviaev said that we need order to protect our democracy. He charged that the voting fraud of giving people their voting slips before they vote is widespread and illegal. He said that he is open to other solutions, but the voting fraud must be abolished.

The bill was defeated 27-38.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained that his amendment would give senior citizens an exemption from paying capital gains tax and tax on provident funds. He said that the current system is simply highway robbery of the elderly. He told stories of people who lost money in the stock market because they felt the banks were not giving them enough interest. He said that today no one takes a provident fund because it is no longer financially worthwhile and instead are keeping their money in dollars overseas.

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) expressed government opposition to the bill. He explained that the government budgets 10 billion NIS for provident funds and that it is not a sin to tax them a little. He said that he is willing to try and meet Sheetrit halfway on the exemption from capital gains tax and asked Sheetrit to postpone the bill for three months so they can discuss it further.

MK Sheetrit agreed to delay the vote for three months.

Amendment to the National Health Insurance Bill

MK Agbaria (Hadash) explained that his amendment would entitle every citizen to vaccinations against all infectious diseases at no charge. He noted that the payment expected for chicken pox shots is very high and that results in 60-70% of the population not getting vaccinated.

Transportation Minister Katz noted that all children born after January 1, 2007, have been vaccinated for most infectious diseases at no charge and that it is a felony to not receive those vaccinations. He noted that other vaccinations are offered at a very low cost. He stated that there is no budget to vaccinate those who are older.

MK Agbaria complained that the government won’t even vaccinate chicken pox. He asked to turn the bill into a motion and discuss the matter in the Health Committee. His request was rejected.

The bill was defeated 20-39.

Amendment to the Prohibition of Kosher Fraud Bill

MK Horowitz stated that he is against religion, Judaism, kashrut and the religious ministry. He explained that his amendment would require supervision and control the prices on kosher certificates. He said that there is a monopoly that entitles the kashrut companies to constantly raise their prices for certificates. He said that he hates kashrut but feels he needs to present this bill for store owners who are being robbed. He also asked that the kosher supervising companies not be allowed to require store owners to buy kosher products that are more expensive.

Religious Affairs Minister Margi (Shas) said that the bill was presented without doing homework. He explained that currently the Finance Committee supervises the kosher certificates. He stated that because there is Knesset supervision and control of the prices on kosher certificates, there is no reason to pass the bill.

MK Horowitz explained that his amendment would allow the chief rabbi to revoke kosher certificates and place fines on high prices. He stated that experts came up with this bill and that the minister doesn’t understand his bill.

The bill was defeated 12-40.

Amendment to the Water and Sewage Bill

MK Tirosh (Kadima) explained that her amendment would provide an exemption to the VAT on the water rates. She said that raising the water taxes is one thing but double taxation through the VAT is another. She screamed at Netanyahu for not doing anything. She warned that people will start protesting soon and that it might spin out of control. Likud ministers heckled her as she raised her voice. Speaker Rivlin suggested Tirosh finish her speech, and she did.

MK Tirosh decided to pull her bill and vote on it at a later date.

Estate Tax Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained that the estate tax is too high for the lower and middle classes and that the estate tax for higher-income classes is too low. She informed that her amendment would fix that. She blasted the government for regressive indirect taxes that hurt the middle class when they could raise indirect taxes that would hurt the rich, such as the estate tax. She said that the country must return to socialism and abandon its capitalistic tendencies. She warned that Israel is going towards early-20^th century Russia and Germany in the 1930s and 1940s.

Environment Minister Erdan said that Solodkin is exaggerating in her predictions. He expressed government opposition to the bill. He noted that Solodkin is asking for double taxation because the person who earned the money paid income tax on it. He added that many elderly rich people make aliya to Israel because of its low estate taxes and Israel is not interested in discouraging this practice.

The bill was defeated 8-28.

Amendment to the Courts Bill

MK Shai (Kadima) explained that his amendment would place a limitation on the validity of gag orders. He stated that gag orders are given out excessively, over one hundred annually, and there is no expiration date on them. He said that it is a violation of freedom of the press and the right of the public to know. He noted that the situation today is that the foreign media covers the stories that have a gag order on them and that Israelis receive the news from the world’s bloggers instead of from its own press. He said that we should require those who request a gag order to have a judge extend it every so often. He stated that there are gag orders on current investigations that have been going on for years.

Environment Minister Erdan said that asking a judge to hear a gag order extension every two weeks is excessive and therefore the government is against the bill. He said that what Shai is asking for is a waste of time and money. Erdan explained that the part of the bill that entitles a journalist to fast-track an appeal on a gag order is accepted by the government. He said that the government will only support this part of the bill and will oppose the rest of it. He blasted Shai for trying to waste police manpower that barely has enough resources to enforce the law on a trip to the courts every week. He also slammed Shai for putting limitations on court decisions.

MK Shai agreed to only advance the part of the bill that the government supports. He went on to criticize Erdan and the Likud.

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

Amendment to the Jerusalem – Israel’s Capital Bill

MK Ariel (N.U.) praised Jerusalem Mayor Barkat for attending this important session to support this very important bill. He stated that 40 MKs have agreed to co-sponsor his bill. He offered his condolences to MK Elkin (Likud), whose father passed away this week. Ariel explained that his amendment would require the government to give a priority to Jerusalem through economic aspects. He informed that the bill requires the government to recognize Jerusalem as a priority “A” area in terms of building, housing, industry and commerce. He noted that the construction freeze on eastern Jerusalem is raising the prices of housing nationally, made worse by the building freeze in Judea and Samaria which has created the housing shortage. He blasted the government for opposing this bill and questioned where their priorities are. He warned that more people are leaving Jerusalem than moving to Jerusalem and that it must raise a red flag. He called on the government to reconsider and vote for the bill.

Environment Minister Erdan said that he agreed with MK Ariel that Jerusalem should be the government’s top priority. He explained that he supports the bill and the government does as well. He said he would not comment on the rest of Ariel’s words.

MK Oron (Meretz) opposed the bill. He said that he doesn’t want to enter the “who loves Jerusalem more” contest, because he knows he will lose. He confessed he wants to see Jerusalem divided now and for future generations. He charged that the government doesn’t really want this bill to pass and will kill it in the committee. He doubted that the government will give Jerusalem the NIS 400 million budget required by the bill. He blasted the current NIS 270 million budget for Jerusalem and says that it comes at the expense of the education and health budgets. He blasted former Meretz Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Pepe for supporting this bill.

MK Ariel said that Oron didn’t read or didn’t understand the bill. He said that the bill will give money to Jerusalem indirectly, not directly, and that is the way MKs get things done.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 39-7 and was sent to the House Committee to determine if the Finance or Funds Committee will discuss the bill further.

Amendment to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Bill

MK Ariel explained that his amendment would add the army chief rabbi to Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Council. Speaker Rivlin informed the MKs that the government supports the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 20-2 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Last Tuesday’s session was about three and a half hours long. Four bills were discussed. Three bills were advanced after passing their first reading and one bill was not voted on.  The Ethiopian Affirmative Action Bill was advanced without the presence of Ethiopian MK Molla (Kadima), who is not a sponsor of the bill and did not speak last time the bill came up in the plenum. Two former journalist MKs voted against a bill that would prohibit the publication of photographs of terrorist attack victims.

Non-Bills Summary

• 17 MKs participated in the one-minute speech segment of the day. Most discussed the budget. Minister Begin responded to the MKs at the end of the segment.
• Three motions on various topics in the news were discussed. They were sent for further discussion in various committees by the votes of 15-1, 8-0 and 16-0.
• Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Noked (Labor) answered a query.

Bills Summary

Expanding the Fair Representation of the Ethiopians in the Civil Service Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) blasted the parents of the Carmel fire who made a spectacle of themselves in the state memorial for their shloshim. He then explained that his amendment would help fight prejudice against Ethiopians by demanding a quota for their people as part of an affirmative action that would raise their representation in the civil service and the public companies. He noted that there is only one Ethiopian in the entire civil service.

MK Naffaa (Balad) said this is a worthy bill. He expressed his feeling that all minorities are discriminated against and that this bill won’t be enforced. He criticized the government for cutting funds for the Druze and Circassian communities. He blasted fellow Druze MKs Matalon and Kara, and praised Druze MK Whbee, who fought with him for Druze rights.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) said that he volunteered to help absorb the Ethiopians when they arrived in the 1980s, particularly in Kiryat Gat, and that he supports the bill enthusiastically. He said that although affirmative action is a good thing, it does hurt people who are “normal” and come from good families. He suggested that the affirmative action bill be amended to put a limit of 15 years on the quota, in order to put a deadline on the absorption of their aliyah.

MK Akunis (Likud) praised former Prime Minister Shamir, who brought the Ethiopians to Israel. He noted that there are 120,000 Ethiopians in Israel today and that 74% of them make minimum wage or are unemployed.

MK Tibi (R.T.) said that affirmative action of Arabs is barely enforced in the civil service and public sectors. He said that he doubts this bill will be enforced. He attacked House Committee Chairman Levin for delaying bills in his committee that would enforce Arab affirmative action.

MK Zeev (Shas) said that he doesn’t like the idea of affirmative action because at this point there is too much of it, although he agrees with it from a moral point of view. He attacked those in the civil service and the public sector who do not hire religious people because of their restrictions of not working on Shabbat and the Jewish holidays.

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

Amendment to the Protection of Privacy Bill

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) explained that his amendment would prohibit the publication of photographs of those injured or killed in terrorist attacks or other disasters without their family’s consent. He said that we have a moral right to those who are hurt to protect them and their rights over the principle of freedom of the press.

MK Ben Ari said that the press should not look at this as an attack. He said the press has their place and this is not one of them. He said that journalists take pictures instead of helping injured people, and this bill will change that. He asked the press to keep their nose out of these issues.

MK Zeev blasted the media for past photos that were hard to stomach and said that limits must be put on the freedom of the press in this regard.

MK Ezra (Kadima) said that sometimes we need to use very tough pictures to show the world what the terrorists are doing to us. He said allowing the Palestinians to be the only side to show these types of pictures is giving them a clear advantage.

MK Orbach (J.H.) said that he doesn’t feel comfortable with this bill. He said he is against limiting freedom of the press and that the Knesset should not do such things. He told the Knesset to let the press choose their own ethics and let the public judge. He asked if the next bill will outlaw reality television because they are not politically correct.

MK Yacimovich (Labor) said that this bill has no place in Israeli society. She said this bill will prohibit the press from covering the most important stories. She said the press is responsible and this bill is among the worst she has ever seen. She called on the Knesset to oppose it.

MK Adatto (Kadima) said that as a hospital general manager she begged the press to stop filming the dead and injured in the hospital. She said she is very much for this bill.

MK Gafni (U.T.J.) said that a balance is needed but that the legislation comes from the fact that the press ignores their ethics committee decisions. He said that the press worship ratings and their own interests. He said that we can’t trust the press because they have failed. He asked why we can criticize the prime minister, celebrities, politicians, musicians and athletics, but we can’t criticize the press.

The bill passed its first reading 15-1 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

MK Cabel (Labor) explained that the amendment would prohibit the army from paying a salary to reservists through an employer. He explained the employers ask for the army to pay them for seven days per week instead of five days per week. He also noted some employers don’t give the full amount to the soldier. He explained that his bill would force the army to give the soldier the full amount instead of giving it to an employer. He praised his co-sponsor MK Ezra, who signed dozens of MKs to support the bill.

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

Amendment to the Israel Defense Forces Pensions Bill

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.

Monday’s session lasted about three and a half hours. Four bills were discussed. Three bills were advanced after passing their first readings and one bill became law after passing its third reading. The new law discusses the strengthening of buildings for earthquakes. The bills advanced discussed supervision of bank committees, a center for collecting fines, and female representation in public companies’ directorial boards.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu government’s cuts in the budgets of the Druze and Circassian sectors’ was defeated 34-54 with 32 MKs not present.
• The three Israeli-Arab parties’ no-confidence motion titled ‘Raising water prices and gas taxes’ was defeated 31-55 with 34 MKs not present.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Land Bill

Interior Committee Chairman MK Azoulay (Shas) explained that the amendment would require the strengthening of all condominium buildings to withstand earthquakes. He added that buildings that cannot withstand an earthquake may be vacated by the government if two-thirds of the building agrees to the terms.

The bill passed its second reading 43-0.

The bill passed its third reading 44-0.

MK Orlev (J.H.) thanked the Knesset for supporting his bill but warned that this was only the first step. He said he preferred lowering the threshold to 50% of the building, because 50,000 buildings in Israel currently could not withstand an earthquake.

MK Azoulay said he hopes that mayors will help the government enforce these new regulations in their cities in a timely fashion.

Amendment to the Banking Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) explained that the amendment would increase monitoring and supervision on the banks’ directorial committees.

MK Oron (Meretz) said he feels private interests are controlling the banks in Israel and this bill will help cover that fact up.

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) said that he felt there should be no government interference in private business and therefore he was against the bill.

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

The two objectors to the bill did not vote.

Amendment to the Center to Collect Fines, Fees and Expenses Bill

Deputy Minister Gamliel (Likud) explained that the amendment would combine the records for fines, fees and expenses in one center that would have the power to increase interest on unpaid debts once a year. She hoped this bill would help increase the collection of unpaid debts citizens have towards the country which, in turn, would increase the State budget.

MK Sheetrit said that he offered a similar bill and it was rejected. He said that the current situation is a bit crazy and something needs to be done to change it. He said that right now there are over a million unpaid debts to the country that account for over a trillion NIS. He added that some fines are too high because of long unpaid interest and should be lowered.

MK Zeev (Shas) offered a quote from Parshat Bahar that forbids interest. He blasted the bill that will make it easier to take a refrigerator or a bed from a poor person who has no money. He said he hoped those supporting the bill will be able to sleep tonight knowing they voted for a bill that will throw people out on the street.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) called the bill terrible. He talked about the Sochat trial, in which two people were forced to confess to a murder and then released nine months later when the real murderers were found. He said he was afraid that it was a widespread phenomenon that the police do when they can’t find a killer. He said he was worried about the people who are serving life sentences but are really innocent.

The bill passed its first reading 15-0 with MK Zeev abstaining and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Companies Bill

Deputy Minister Gamliel explained that the amendment would require representation from both sexes on the board of a public company. She added that the amendment would require at least one female representative who is not a wife, sister, mother or daughter of another board member.

MK Ben Ari said that there is equality between the sexes and that this bill will hurt that. He said women should be at home putting their kids to bed at night, instead of staying at work late for board meetings. He went on to criticize the left for supporting terrorists and demanded they protect their children instead.

MK Rotem (Y.B.) said that the bill comes from a good place. He said that the chairman in his house is his wife and that there is no need for legislation. He blasted the bill that allows the minority to choose a female representative who is not wanted by the controlling interests of a company.

Deputy Minister Gamliel responded that under the bill the controlling interests would present a list of recommendations and the minority would choose a candidate from the list.

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

Last Wednesday’s session lasted about eight hours and fifteen minutes. It was just the 200^th session since elections were held about two years ago. 15 bills were discussed. Seven bills were advanced, four were turned into motions to avoid defeat and four were defeated. The bills advanced included a bill forcing every government office to have afternoon hours for the public, two bills combating the housing crisis and a bill that prohibits celebrities and athletes from participating in the advertising and marketing of alcoholic products.

Non-Bills Summary

• Transportation Minister Katz (Likud), Labor and Welfare Minister Herzog (Labor), Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) and Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.
• Two motions on creating a committee to investigate the funding of left-wing groups were passed 41-17 and 38-17.
• Seven other motions on various topics in the news were discussed. Six of them passed by the votes of 11-1, 4-1, 4-3, 6-0, 5-0 and 4-0. One motion was defeated when they decided not to vote on it.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

MK Hotovely (Likud) explained that her amendment will prohibit the publication of sexual abuse victims’ photos and that violators would be fined heavily.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 26-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill further. Speaker Rivlin wanted the Justice Committee; Hotovely wanted the Women’s Rights Committee.

Providing Public Service in Other Public Government Bodies in the Afternoon Bill

MK Shama (Likud) slammed the current situation where citizens are required to take a vacation day in order to run errands in government offices because most of them are closed in the afternoon. He explained that his bill would require every government body that sees the public to be open at least one day each week during the afternoon. He expressed his feeling that this would help the citizens receive the benefits and services they deserve.

Minister Eitan (Likud) expressed government support for the bill. He stated that in the future he hoped that everything could be done online or by telephone to eliminate the need for citizens to wait in line at government offices.

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

Limitation of Advertising and Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages Bill

MK Danon (Likud) expressed disgust at pictures from New Years parties that show hundreds of middle school children drunk and rioting. He explained his amendment would increase the limitations already in place on advertising and marketing alcoholic beverages, such as prohibiting celebrities and athletes from participating in any published, audio or video advertisement.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 35-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

MK Amar (Y.B.) explained that his amendment would require a minimum sentence for any person who abandons an injured person in an accident. He called hit-and-run criminals the same as murderers.

Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that the government is against all minimum sentences.

Speaker Rivlin noted that MK Matalon and MK Bielski both have similar bills, and those bills passed.

MK Amar agreed to change his bill to meet the requirements of the other two bills.

Minister Katz decided to express government support on the grounds that Amar joins Matalon’s and Bielski’s bills.

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

Amendment to the Housing Loans Bill

MK Vaknin (Shas) said that if the public housing and housing shortage crisis are not solved, he will resign from the Knesset in protest. He slammed the cutting of budgets that help former soldiers who want to build a house in the Galil and Negev. He attacked the government for killing the Galil and Negev. He explained his amendment would have the government participate in the mortgages and loans that are used to purchase an apartment in developing areas such as the Galil and Negev.

Housing Minister Atias (Shas) confessed the housing shortage is overwhelming and the government’s band-aids are not working. He informed that his ministry does not have enough money to implement this bill and the Finance Ministry refuses to release enough money to support this bill. Atias said that, despite the Finance Ministry’s refusal to release funds, the government supports the bill.

MK Plesner (Kadima) noted that the Prime Minister and Finance Minister are against the bill and that is why they are not present for the vote. He informed Vaknin that they intend to bury this bill in the committee. He blasted the bill that would give equal preference to those who served in the army and those who did not. He slammed the fact that settlements will receive benefits but certain cities like Tiberias, Carmiel and Kiryat Gat will not.

MK Vaknin told Plesner that his speech was full of holes and lies. He attacked Plesner for objecting to a bill that is the first step in solving the housing crisis.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 57-0 with Plesner abstaining and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill.

Amendment to the Housing Loans Bill

MK Moses (U.T.J.) said that the housing crisis is a national emergency. He said that he is a co-sponsor of Vaknin’s bill, but he feels that a more widespread bill is needed. He explained that his amendment would require the government to participate in loans and rebates to help citizens purchase their first apartment. He hoped that people who are living in garages and storage rooms will be able to move out and buy their own place thanks to his bill. He criticized the newspaper Globes for saying that Haredim secretly bought 70 apartments in Afula. He explained that there is no housing anywhere else and they need to move as a community because they are Chasidim.

No minister was present to express government support or opposition.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 34-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill.

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

MK Ezra (Kadima) explained that his amendment would force the Transportation Ministry to provide information regarding the mortgage and licensing of vehicles.

Transportation Minister Katz expressed government support for the bill.

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

Motion/Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

MK Tirosh (Kadima) explained that her amendment would require the renewal of driver’s licenses every five years for commercial vehicles, public vehicles and vehicles weighing more than 4000 kg. She noted statistics that present a strong case for her bill, and she slammed the government for opposing the bill.

Transportation Minister Katz stated that elderly people receive licenses and drive into their 80s even if they are heavy vehicles and noted statistics that support his position. He noted that eye sight is the main issue in aging and there already is a law that forces citizens over the age of 40 to bring an eye test every ten years in order to keep their license. He asked Tirosh to turn the bill into a motion in order to gain his support.

MK Tirosh agreed.

The motion passed 30-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained that his amendment would allow senior citizens to pull out at one time their entire financial benefits package.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) explained that the government opposes the bill on the grounds that the government policy is that the senior citizens receive their benefits in stages. He suggested that the economy might collapse if they had to pay all the senior citizens their full packages the minute they retired. He added that the various packages are supervised by different government bodies and therefore it is also technically impossible to carry out.

MK Sheetrit said that this forces elderly people to invest their money in the stock market and encourages younger people to invest their money elsewhere.

The bill was defeated 18-41.

Amendment to the Government Bill

MK Tiviaev (Kadima) explained that his amendment would reduce the number of ministers to 18 by eliminating all of the minister positions that do not have portfolios. He noted that Minister Sa’ar felt that any government with more than 18 ministers was inflated just two years ago. Tiviaev explained that he submitted Sa’ar’s bill without touching it. He noted that not one western country has 30 ministers or cabinet secretaries. He explained that the coalition is robbing the country of billions of NIS with this inflated government. He went on to quote current Likud ministers when they spoke out in the previous Knesset against an overflow of ministers.  He warned that the next government will have 35 ministers. He noted that the bill would allow the government to keep their ministers if they set up for them regular government agencies.

Environment Minister Erdan said he respects Tiviaev personally but that this bill was a joke. He noted that every government has raised the number of ministers, including Kadima. He attacked Kadima for not supporting the bill when Sa’ar proposed it over two years ago. He noted that the only Prime Minister to have fewer than 19 ministers was Netanyahu’s government of 18 ministers from 1996-1999. He said he wished that Kadima accepted the bill earlier, because there would be a lot fewer ministers this time around. He attacked Kadima for not proposing the bill for future governments but pointing directly at this one.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) said that the government cares more about survival than justice. He went on to quote Netanyahu and Livnat from the protocol of Sa’ar’s bill in which they praised the bill and insisted when they were in power they would stop the inflation. Hasson noted that Olmert had two deputy ministers and Netanyahu has nine.

The bill was defeated 16-36.

Amendment to the Film Bill

MK Yoel Hasson said there is Netanyahu A when he is opposition leader and Netanyahu B when he is prime minister. He went on to attack Netanyahu for ten minutes and endured coalition MKs heckling him. He explained his amendment presents a temporary provision that would raise the budget of Israeli film from 65 million to 100 million only for the year of 2011. He asked that the bill be turned into a motion.

Sports and Culture Minister Livnat (Likud) objected to the bill and to the motion. She said she came to an agreement with the film industry on 65 million per year and attacked Hasson for trying to use them for political gain. She praised Speaker Rivlin for writing the original Film Bill. She noted that over 320 movies were produced over the last two years of which 230 were shown in international festivals. She noted the Golden Globes and several other awards during that period. She praised the agreement signed with the leaders of the film industry and called Hasson’s bill pathetic and wondered if he even read the agreements. She noted that Hasson’s bill would revoke the money that the film receives in the deal and therefore the entire film industry stands against this bill. She went on to read the long list of people who signed the agreement from the industry and from Kadima. She went on to attack Livni and her two million NIS budget as opposition leader. She said she will defeat Hasson’s bill with pleasure.

MK Hasson said that he hoped Livnat enjoyed taking a stab at Opposition Leader Livni because she will be the next prime minister and Livnat has been passed over once again in the dust far far behind.

The bill was defeated 8-31.

Two Motions/Amendments to the State Education Bill

MK Zoabi (Balad) explained that her amendment would limit the number of students in State kindergardens and elementary school classrooms. She suggested spending money to physically build new classrooms so that they can be filled. She said that the crowding of classrooms is unacceptable.

MK Tirosh explained that her similar bill that she co-sponsored with MK Itzik is important and she hopes to see it become law, despite the government’s opposition.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) said he agrees with the bills but does not have the budget to implement them. He asked Zoabi and Tirosh to turn their bills into motions, which they agreed to do. He agreed to grant government support for the motions and to have a debate in the committee. He noted that a program to reduce class sizes took effect last year in middle schools and high schools. He explained that he would rather spend money giving teachers higher salaries than shrinking the classrooms. He stated that Israel has the highest birth rate in the OECD and yet we have fewer children per classroom than Japan and South Korea.

The motions passed 20-0 and were sent to the Education Committee.

Financial Reimbursement for Civil Marriages Bill

MK Horowitz (Meretz) said that the flights to Cyprus are filled with Israelis who are going there to get married. He noted that the mayor of Larcena has married more Israelis than any Rabbi in Israel. He blasted Israel for being one of only two countries (Lebanon is the other) that forces people to marry out of the country if they seek civil marriage. He complained that Israelis must pay for a plane ticket, a hotel visit and a marriage license. He asked in his bill that the government refund them.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) said that the government opposes the bill. Erdan said that when Horowitz asks that people who for idealistic reasons don’t want to marry religiously and prefer a civil union also be included, he finds it hard to swallow.

MK Horowitz attacked the religious and called on everyone to get married outside of Israel.

The bill was defeated 4-31.

Language Bill/Motion

MK Eldad (N.U.) informed the plenum that during the British mandate the three official languages in Israel were English, Arabic and Hebrew. He stated that in 1948 English was taken off the list and only Arabic and Hebrew remained. He noted that shortly after it was decided there would not be any official languages. He claimed that not having Hebrew as the official language of Israel is a violation of the Declaration of Independence. He said he is willing to turn the bill into a motion in order to start the discussions on the issue in the committee and gather more support.

Minister Nahari (Shas) said the government objects to the bill but supports it as a motion.

The motion passed 22-2 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Last Tuesday’s session lasted about three and a half hours. Netanyahu and Livni exchanged words, but the coalition remained solid even after a tense budget week. House Committee Chairman MK Levin changed and added regulations regarding motions in the Knesset handbook. In the one-minute speeches MKs blew off steam from their frustrations surrounding the long budget discussion and voting marathon. No bills were discussed.

Non-Bills Summary

• 20 MKs participated in the one-minute speech segment that opened the session. The budget was the main topic of discussion.
• A discussion, as requested by 40 MKs, on the motion titled “The Netanyahu government’s failure in the political, economic and social sectors” took place. 14 MKs participated in the discussion. Following their speeches Prime Minister Netanyahu defended his government and opposition leader Livni called him a liar. Netanyahu’s speech was accepted by the Knesset’s 43-25-1 vote.
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) explained that he was bringing a proposal to change the Knesset regulations book. He explained that the paragraph that deals with motions would be expanded to allow MKs to join motions of other MKs and to appeal the committee to which their motion is sent. The proposal was approved 10-0.