Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Last Monday’s session lasted about three and a half hours. Ten bills were discussed. Six passed their third readings and became law. Four bills were advanced after passing their first readings. The highlight bill of the day will award an Israeli citizen who has been out of the country for six years with the same exact benefits that a new immigrant (oleh) receives when they enter the country for the three years following their reentry.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled: “Prime Minister is busy with political survival considerations at the expense of the significant decisions and the fate of the country and its citizens” was defeated 29-54 with 37 MKs not present.
• The three Israeli-Arab parties’ no-confidence motion titled: “The government is dangerous for democracy” was defeated 25-54 with 41 MKs not present.
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) announced that a disputed bill will be discussed in the House Committee. He explained that he wished to split that bill and send to different committees and asked for Knesset support. It was approved 19-0.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Patents Bill

Justice Committee Chairman MK Rotem (Y.B.) explained that until now a patent only became official after it was published in the government paper Reshumot. He said that from now on all patents will become official when released on the Israeli patent website.

The bill passed its second reading 23-0.

The bill passed its third reading 23-0.

MK Rotem thanked his committee members and all of his assistants for helping him pass this bill.

Two amendments to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

Funds Committee Chairman MK Gafni (U.T.J.) congratulated Deputy Speaker Levy-Abekasis on her new job. The deputy speaker responded this wasn’t her first day on the job. Gafni blushed. He went on to explain new types of “keren histalmut” and “keren neamnut” (short-term tax free savings plans) will be accepted. He said that the previous bill was split off from the Arrangements Bill. He explained the second bill would grant all new immigrant rights to returning citizens who have been out of the country for six years.

The first bill passed its second reading 20-0.

The first bill passed its third reading 25-0.

The second bill passed its second reading 23-0.

The second bill passed its third reading 26-0.

Amendment to the Sick Pay Bill

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Noked (Labor) praised the concept of sick pay days. She explained that the amendment would raise the payment given for a sick day from 75% of a person’s salary to 100% of a person’s salary.

MK Miller (Y.B.) praised Noked and said that it is an important bill that will help every salaried worker in the country. He asked Noked to find a solution for small businesses that might need to fire people in order to meet the costs of the new bill.

MK Zeev (Shas) wished all the sick people health. He noted that in December when employees realize they have sick days they haven’t used and they are about to expire, they decide to play sick for the last few weeks of the year. He suggested someone monitor this wide-spread occurrence.

MK Whbee (Kadima) praised the bill and attacked the indirect taxes.

The bill passed its first reading 21-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

Labor and Welfare Minister Herzog (Labor) explained that the amendment would allow citizens to receive information on their insurance premiums and to appeal them to a committee.

MK Molla (Kadima) slammed the national insurance employees, who he called unhelpful to say the least. He said he would prefer to see the appeals go to court and not to a committee of bad insurance employees.

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

MK Vaknin (Shas) double voted for MK Cohen who did not make it to his seat in time. Vaknin apologized, and Cohen’s vote counted.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) slammed the income tax ordinance bill that has been in place since the British mandate and complained that he is bringing the 180^th amendment to the bill. He suggested writing an Israeli income tax bill. Speaker Rivlin remained silent. Cohen explained the amendment would allow banks to charge higher interest rates to international citizens.

MK Whbee slammed the British income tax ordinance bill and blasted the Israeli government’s indirect taxes. He called on the government to lower all taxes for poor people.

MK Miller asked if the banks plan on reducing interest rates for Israelis or just raising their bottom line.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) blasted the newspaper Haaretz for overusing and lowering the value of the terms “racist” and “racism”. He blasted Haaretz for deciding that investigating leftist funds is racist but kicking Jews out of their home is not racist. He stated that measures taken against our enemies are not racism, but survival. He quoted former Prime Minister Golda Meir who said that Jews who marry Arabs are considered to be an addition to the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. He asked why Haaretz chose not to call her a racist then. Perhaps, he answered, it is because she was a leftist.

The bill passed its first reading 19-0 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

Amendment to the Veteran Civil Bill

Deputy Veterans Minister Nass (Likud) explained that the amendment would provide information to the elderly on their rights and benefits as a senior citizen.

MK Ben Ari praised the bill that will show our gratitude towards the pioneers who built the country. He said that unlike the slogan “the world belongs to the young”, he feels this bill will show that the world belongs to them as well.

Deputy Speaker Levy-Abekasis praised the bill as well.

The bill passed its first reading 21-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Foundations of the Budget Bill

MK Vaknin (Shas) explained that the government would ease taxes for land near Israel’s borders. He thanked MK Gafni for fast-tracking the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 13-0.

The bill passed its third reading 12-0.

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

Labor Committee Chairman MK Haim Katz (Likud) praised the sponsor of the bill, MK Orlev, for his many socialistic bills. He explained this amendment would allow national insurance workers to receive certain national insurance benefits such as food during hospital visits, without it being labeled a conflict of interest.

The bill passed its second reading 12-0.

The bill passed its third reading 11-0.

MK Orlev thanked Chairman Katz for supporting the bill. He went on to thank his assistants and lobbyists who helped him with the bill.

Amendment to the Securities Bill

Labor Committee Chairman MK Haim Katz explained the amendment would prohibit company owners from forcing their employees to pay off company expenses if the company goes bankrupt. He explained that the tycoons have postponed this bill, and finally, thanks to the courage of a few, the bill will be passed. He noted that there is a list of exceptions in the bill, but that they are very few. He went on to thank his assistants for helping him with the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 11-0.

The bill passed its third reading 11-0.

The December 29th  session lasted over twelve and a half hours. The MKs started bright and early and passed the Arrangements Bill in its third reading 67-23 with 30 MKs not present before lunch. The budget passed its third reading 63-33 with 24 MKs not present around 9:30 PM.

Day three of the budget discussion lasted for about an hour and a half. Following were eleven hours of voting with only a short break in the middle. Two bills were corrected at the end of the budget voting marathon. The only coalition MK to vote against the budget was Labor MK Ben Simon.  Twelve coalition MKs and twelve opposition MKs were absent from the final vote. The opposition faction National Union split the party’s votes- two MKs voted for the budget, one voted against it and one chose not to participate.

Bills Summary

2011-2012 Budget Bill and 2011-2012 Arrangements Bill

Speaker Rivlin asked the opposition to agree to a break for lunch in the middle of the session.

MK Abesadze (Kadima) was praised by Speaker Rivlin for showing her restraint and not speaking from the plenum during her first month as an MK. Abesadze praised MK Gafni for splitting bills from the Arrangements Bill and said he was no sucker. She blasted the government for raising indirect taxes such as school uniforms, mortgages and city taxes. She attacked Netanyahu for reneging on some of his campaign promises in order to lower the deficit.

MK Eldad (N.U.) attacked the government for not budgeting for the 40% of children who don’t have gas masks. He wondered how parents will choose which children will receive a gas mask and which will die. He speculated what fighting will be in the streets in order to get a mask. He noted that a citizen can’t buy it privately or import the gas masks. He recalled when he was the head doctor of the army the importance that the government placed on defending their citizens. He attacked the Foreign and Defense Committee Chairman Mofaz, an opposition MK, for not fighting this issue.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) attacked the government for not raising the budget for immigration and absorption. He blasted the government for allowing illegal immigration and for not allocating funds for it. He warned that the illegals will receive the funds and the citizens will not. He said that on average 15 illegals live in one house, many times in abandoned apartments. He stated that entire neighborhoods are becoming African and they use the bathroom in public. He asked if those who fight an enemy are racist. He blasted the New Israel Fund for being anti-Zionistic. He warned that Israel is slowly being taken over by Africans.

MK Adatto (Kadima) attacked the budget for not allocating funds for extra hospital beds and finding new doctors. She said that the decision to move money from pharmaceuticals to children’s dentistry was a bad move. She blasted the decision to allow pharmacists to write prescriptions to patients for the first nine months and to check patients in a separate room in order to make a diagnosis.

MK Bar-On (Kadima) summarized the last three days of debating the budget by saying it was a bad budget. He slammed Netanyahu’s interview on Channel 10 and said it made him feel sorry for Netanyahu. He went on to slam Ministers Liberman and Yishai. He said that Netanyahu is weak, the government is going nowhere and nothing good will come of this year or this budget.

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) defended the biannual budget as the only way to protect Israel from the global economic crisis. He noted that many of the experts in the financial sector agree with him and the success of the previous biannual budget. He praised the 700 million NIS increase in the budget for working single mothers. He stated that minimum wage salaried employees will pay less and receive more. He noted the increase in the transportation budget’s train and new roads sectors. He lauded the incentives for high tech and start-up companies. He thanked Speaker Rivlin for shrinking the Arrangements Bill. He concluded that the budget is good for the citizens of Israel.

Funds Committee Chairman MK Gafni (U.T.J.) praised the small Arrangements Bill and the bills that were split off from it. He asked the Knesset to support the budget despite the compromises that were made.

The opposition’s objections on the Arrangements Bill were defeated 43-66, 43-67, 42-69, 42-71, 43-70, 40-63, 40-68, 40-68, 38-69, 38-68, 37-63, 39-66, 37-65, 33-64, 35-64, 35-61, 41-63, 38-60, 38-65, 39-66, 43-57, 38-61, 42-67, 30-59, 31-58, 38-65, 37-58, 44-62, 38-63, 38-59, 42-64, 37-67 and 30-58.

Communications Minister Kahlon’s objections were accepted 67-38, 69-41, 69-39 and 68-39.

The Finance Minister Steinitz’s objections were accepted 97-7 and 62-32.

The paragraphs of the Arrangements Bill were accepted in their second reading 68-44, 68-42, 69-39, 69-39, 66-38, 68-35, 67-34, 67-35, 57-28, 63-34, 65-37, 61-38, 60-37, 61-37, 64-39, 64-40, 64-37-1, 55-35, 85-10, 50-32, 62-38, 52-38, 58-33, 57-29, 64-31-1, 62-34, 55-35, 59-36, 65-38, 60-38, 60-37, 63-39, 53-24, 56-27, 57-34-1 and 54-20.

The Arrangements Bill passed its third reading 67-23.

Following the passing of the Arrangements Bill, the Knesset took a 49-minute break so the MKs could eat some lunch.

When they returned, Finance Minister Steinitz announced that the government will vote against all of the objections on the budget.

MK Bar-On apologized for hurting Deputy Finance Minister Cohen’s feelings earlier.

The objections on the budget were defeated 28-53, 28-54, 31-54, 36-56, 34-51, 35-55, 33-55, 32-55, 34-64, 33-61, 28-54, 31-54, 36-56, 34-51, 35-55, 33-55, 32-55, 34-64, 33-61, 35-63, 37-64, 27-61, 39-68, 33-57, 32-56, 35-56, 32-62, 33-60, 12-80, 35-59, 27-57-1, 30-58, 31-53, 9-40, 39-60, 34-57, 33-56, 34-61, 35-58, 32-59-1, 30-57, 32-60, 33-60, 35-58, 31-58, 37-60, 36-18, 31-55, 25-55, 31-58, 18-67, 31-58, 29-60, 35-61, 25-44, 26-47, 25-51-1, 25-52-1, 32-54, 31-52, 31-53, 30-52, 29-54, 29-50, 28-52, 28-53, 26-54, 31-54, 33-50, 32-54, 34-55, 34-50, 32-55, 30-54, 31-53, 31-54, 25-51, 26-50, 29-47, 29-47, 26-50, 19-39, 23-45, 28-48, 26-50, 27-50, 28-50, 27-50, 30-49, 32-56, 24-51, 31-52, 29-48, 29-53, 31-56, 23-57, 28-51, 30-51, 25-54, 33-53, 33-55, 34-55, 35-52, 31-45, 37-58, 19-42, 21-47, 23-46, 28-49, 28-51, 24-53, 24-51, 29-55, 30-49, 23-51-1, 26-52, 23-53, 28-59, 18-68, 31-53, 28-58-1, 28-58, 31-56, 32-58, 30-60-1, 32-60, 33-62, 32-59, 32-58, 33-57, 30-58, 31-58, 32-62, 32-59, 30-61, 32-60, 31-57, 29-59, 31-59 and 28-55.

The budget’s paragraphs passed their second readings 52-34 and 57-37, 59-31-1 and 64-30, 52-34 and 57-37, 59-39-1 and 64-30, 62-37 and 59-32, 60-32 and 62-29, 59-31 and  58-28, 47-33 and 59-36, 59-31 and 58-31, 60-32 and 55-30, 59-33 and 58-34, 56-23 and 56-32, 58-33, 49-25, 59-31, 65-26, 43-16, 42-20, 52-28 and 54-32, 59-31, 55-32, 56-28, 56-28 and 54-27, 51-31, 51-25, 49-35, 45-21, 59-27, 60-32, 62-31, 60-33, 61-32, 61-33, 59-30-1, 61-33, 61-25, 60-29, 60-31 and 63-31.

• Those votes that have an “and” in between them indicate votes taken separately for the 2011 and 2012 budgets.

Speaker Rivlin asked Funds Committee Chairman Gafni if he wishes to bring the budget for a third reading.

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni said that he agreed to bring it for a third reading. He said it was a good budget and that none of the opposition’s objections were accepted by the Knesset, so he has no reason to bring the budget back to the Funds Committee.

The budget passed its third reading 63-33 with 24 MKs not present.

• The 63 MKs who voted for the budget were 22 of the 27 Likud MKs, 14 of the 15 Yisrael Beitenu MKs, 10 of the 11 Shas MKs, 7 of the 13 Labor MKs, the 5 United Torah Judaism MKs and the 3 Jewish Home MKs. From the opposition, 2 of the 4 National Union MKs- Katzeleh and Ariel- voted for the budget.
• The 33 MKs who voted against the budget were 20 of the 28 Kadima MKs, the 4 Hadash MKs, the 3 Meretz MKs, 2 of the 4 Ra’am-Ta’al MKs, 2 of the 3 Balad MKs and 1 of the 4 National Union MKs (MK Eldad). The only coalition MK to vote against the budget was Labor MK Ben Simon.
• 24 MKs were not present for the budget vote- 12 from the coalition and 12 from the opposition.  From the coalition were Likud Ministers Shalom, Livnat, Katz, Erdan and Sa’ar, Yisrael Beitenu’s Foreign Minister Lieberman, Shas MK Amsellem, Labor MKs Peretz, Cabel, Wilf and Yacimovich and Labor Minister Ben-Eliezer. From the opposition were Kadima MKs Ezra, Itzik, Boim, Edery, Tiviaev, Avraham Balila, Tirosh and Mofaz, Ra’am-Ta’al MKs Tibi and Ganaim, Balad MK Naffaa and National Union MK Ben Ari.

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu and the finance minister for listening to his complaints and for tweaking the budget as much as they could. He thanked all of his assistants personally for helping him and thanked all of the other Knesset committee chairmen.

Finance Minister Steinitz thanked Speaker Rivlin and the coalition for supporting the biannual budget and wished for this budget to be as successful as the last biannual budget. He thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu, Coalition Chairman Elkin and Deputy Finance Minister Cohen.

Decision of Interior and Environment Committee regarding the correction of the Clean Air Bill

Decision of Interior and Environment Committee regarding the correction on the Amendment to the Municipalities Ordinance Bill

Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Azoulay (Shas) explained that technical changes were needed to fix two bills due to printing errors.

They were passed 31-0 and 31-0.

MK Aflalo (Kadima) praised Speaker Rivlin for doing the most important work in this year’s budget.

Speaker Rivlin said he appreciates the fact that he is not criticized and that is enough to satisfy him. He closed the session at 21:32.

Last Tuesday’s session lasted over twelve hours. It started at 9 AM sharp, after about a ten and a half hour break from the night before. Several MKs gave interesting speeches against the budget such as MKs Oron, Katzeleh, Shamalov Berkovich and Tiviaev. Coalition MKs responded with some speeches against certain aspects of the budget, and some, such as MK Orlev, categorically supported the whole budget. Overall, it was an interesting twelve hours.

Bill Summary

2011-2012 Budget Bill and 2011-2012 Arrangements Bill

MK Shai (Kadima) expressed concern over the resignation of the hasbara chief in the Prime Minister’s office. He accused Israel of losing the PR battle over its legitimacy. He warned that Netanyahu’s assistants are working against each other and not with each other. He claimed that the biannual budget is Netanyahu’s way to stay in power for the next two years. He asked if there is one country that has a biannual budget. He thanked Speaker Rivlin for shrinking the Arrangements Bill. He blasted the government for budgeting enough money for only 60% of the population to receive gas masks. He said he was worried that 40% of the population would not survive a biological attack because the government decided not to spend the money to defend them. He slammed the government for not budgeting enough money to protect Sderot and other cities along the Gaza border. He said that he was confused about when Foreign Minister Liberman is speaking in the name of the State of Israel and when he is speaking in the name of his party. He blasted the foreign ministry budget cut from 1.7 billion to 1.57 billion. He stated that the importance of the office is increasing and the budget is shrinking. He criticized Liberman for losing the battle in South America.

MK Molla (Kadima) called the 11 million NIS budget to fight drugs a joke and asked the government to raise that budget immediately. He slammed the budget cuts to the local authorities and the raising of the budget in Judea and Samaria. He attacked Netanyahu for choosing Ariel over Karmiel. He said he was willing to lower the budget of his city, Rishon Lezion, in order to give more money to Kiryat Shmona. He called the budget of Binyanei Hauma in Jerusalem unnecessary. He criticized the Israeli education system for teaching our children about Moses but not about Herzl and Ben Gurion. He called for raising the budget for the Jewish Agency, the KKL, the WZO, the Keren Hayesod and all other Zionist organizations. He blasted the increase of 75 million NIS to the Religious Affairs Ministry and said the money could be spent better elsewhere. He labeled the government a job machine that has too many ministers and assistants. He noted that most of the projects that did not hire a lobbyist saw their budget shrink. He slammed the budgeting of shuls that this year will be 30 million NIS and next year will increase to 33 million and suggested that only the religious citizens pay for shuls. He concluded that Netanyahu is looking to survive as Prime Minister.

MK Oron (Meretz) quoted the Deputy Finance Minister’s speech from the night before, during which he mentioned that the coalition MKs are bound by coalition agreements signed at the beginning of the Knesset’s term. He read out how much each party will make per year. He said the National Home Party will receive 72 million NIS per year. (It should be noted that there is no such party.  MK Oron mixed up the Jewish Home party that is in the coalition and the National Union party that sits in the opposition.) He disclosed that Shas will receive 120 million, United Torah Judaism 110 million, Labor 100 million, and Yisrael Beitenu 147 million NIS per year. He said that all together 569 million NIS is being given to the five coalition parties, and the biannual budget will give them 1.168 billion NIS total. Oron said he was disgusted that no one knows the destination of this part of the budget and that the parties can decide where it will go at a later date. He said if the projects they were budgeting were worthy, they should say what they are. He attacked the budget as overall being bad for the poor. He asked why Netanyahu is lowering direct taxes and raising indirect taxes. He said that Netanyahu is taking money from one pocket and moving it to another pocket. He concluded that by switching pockets the poor are hurt more than the rich.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) noted that the pharmaceutical basket has been lowered from 415 million NIS to 300 million, but dental care received a 150 million NIS raise and the country is going to purchase another 30 MRI machines. He attacked the media for criticizing the Haredi parties and yeshiva student budgets when there is a right-wing government but not when there is a left-wing government. He charged that Oron would also take money for his party if he was in the coalition. He wondered why what U.T.J. does is forbidden but what other parties do is okay.

MK Whbee (Kadima) slammed the budget for cutting the local authorities’ budget in half and cutting the Druze budget by half as well. He disagreed with lowering direct taxes and raising indirect taxes. He said raising the taxes on gas will hurt the poor and not the rich. He called the nine billion NIS transportation budget inflated. He said that the public listened to the Likud when they were 12 MKs but they are not listening to the Likud now that they have 27 MKs.

MK Schneller (Kadima) blasted the reduction in the foreign ministry’s budget and asked where the government’s priorities lie. He stressed this wasn’t politics but rather our survival. He asked how we can have diplomats who are ambassadors for multiple countries. He also attacked the reduction in the transportation safety budget following a year filled with road deaths. He said that we must teach road safety in different languages to the various races and cultures in Israel. He noted a Tel Aviv University and Technion study that found that certain cultures have swelled the amount of drunk driving in Israel.

Culture and Sports Minister Livnat (Likud) attacked Schneller for a hidden blow to the Russian community. She hinted that Schneller was referring to the Russians’ alcohol consumption culture. She stressed that the priorities of this government is to raise the education and transportation budgets and something needs to give.

MK Sarsur (R.T.) criticized Schneller and told him that the foreign ministry did not receive a budget cut if one includes Liberman’s salary. He attacked the budget as bad for the poor and for the Arabs in particular.

MK Hermesh (Kadima) said that the by lowering the deficit we are hurting the poor. He questioned the price of 50 NIS for a liter of gas. He said, as someone who lives near Sderot, people will leave the suburbs for the city in order to save money on gas. He quoted an assistant who told him by raising gas prices and not lowering the VAT, we can lower taxes for the rich and still lower the deficit. He asked how people who earn a high salary should be allowed to collect from Bituach Leumi the same amount at the expense of the middle class.

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) admitted he had never given a 22 minute speech from the plenum before. He said that, as the committee chairman of foreign workers, the illegal immigration into Israel worries him. He recalled that his committee was created to deal with the people who came from Asia and were authorized and licensed to be here. He noted that the IDF has absorbed 15,000 of the illegal immigrants who crossed from the Egyptian border and sent them to live in the big cities over the past year. 34,000 illegals have been absorbed by the IDF since 2006. He noted that many were not absorbed and their numbers are unknown. He criticized the Bedouins, who, according to left wing groups, are raping the women before they bring them across from the Sinai to the Negev. He released the official Interior Ministry numbers which estimate the number of illegal immigrants at 45,000. Katzeleh attacked the government for not allocating any of the budget for these people. He asked who will pay for their education or health. He noted in Tel Aviv the illegal kids go to school and in Eilat they don’t, because each mayor is allowed to decide if he wants to allocate his citizens’ funds towards the illegals. He noted that these illegals live in apartments and are contributing to the housing shortage as well as encouraging citizens to leave entire neighborhoods. He praised the budget for housing the 30,000 immigrants that are expected over the next two years but criticized the government for not doing the same for the illegals. He questioned how in 2010 Israel welcomed 230 new millionaires. He answered that they probably sold real estate in Jerusalem recently. He revealed a recent conversation he had with Tel Aviv Mayor Huldai, during which Huldai told him that he suspected the illegal immigrants have surpassed 80,000. Katzeleh warned of a housing crisis in response to the shortage of construction in the country in general, and in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem in particular, and the increase of the illegal immigrant population.  Speaker Rivlin asked Katzeleh why Peace Now is telling the public that there is building in Judea and Samaria. Katzeleh explained the difference between a construction freeze and a building freeze. In a building freeze – Prime Minister Netanyahu refuses to authorize any new permits for building in eastern Jerusalem and Defense Minister Barak refuses to authorize any new permits for building in Judea and Samaria. In a construction freeze – not only is the building frozen, but also authorized buildings are not allowed to be constructed. Katzeleh explained to Speaker Rivlin that there has been a building freeze since Netanyahu assumed power two years ago and that the settlers are fighting to avoid another construction freeze. He explained that all the current construction that “Peace Now” has been reporting in the three months since the construction freeze ended has to do with constructing buildings that received their permits before Netanyahu and Barak took office. He revealed that there are thousands of such buildings. Katzeleh agreed with the Peace Now numbers that place the Judea and Samaria population at 330,000. Speaker Rivlin asked Katzeleh why Israel doesn’t hire the illegal immigrants. Katzeleh responded they hired them to do agriculture and they ran away after two days, and they tried hiring them for construction and they refused to show up for work at all. He called on the country to promote programs to encourage Jewish workers in agriculture. Katzeleh recalled how he built over 150,000 units when he was former Prime Minister Sharon’s assistant at the housing ministry. He asked the current government to adopt those numbers as well. He called on Netanyahu to stop the illegal immigration before Tel Aviv reaches 200,000 Africans and we lose the Jewish identity of the city. He labeled it a demographic catastrophe.

MK Tirosh (Kadima) quoted a 1998 study that showed a third of Israeli households were in the middle class, compared to today where a third of Israeli households are under the poverty line. She noted that a third of the workforce makes minimum wage, which is less than 4,000 NIS per month. She slammed the people who are trying to steal money from those who discovered the natural gas reserves. She warned that the three companies might run away to Egypt with their natural gas and leave Israel with nothing. She attacked Education Minister Sa’ar for raising the ultra orthodox education budget by 30 million NIS. She also criticized the cut in the Hesder Yeshiva budget.

MK Khenin (Hadash) attacked the coalition agreements that Oron revealed earlier in the day. He slammed the government for not revealing the budget to the public but just to the MKs, and that it is in book form and not online. He noted that only Bahrain has a biannual budget; the rest of the world’s democratic countries have an annual budget. He blasted Israel for finishing last in most financial charts among OECD members. He charged that by lowering taxes it will be hard for the country to deal with disasters such as the fire in the Carmel.  He revealed that Netanyahu’s tax reductions have cost the country 46.2 billion NIS in the past two years alone and will cost the country even more during the next two years. He blasted the policy which lowers taxes of the rich and offers fewer services for the poor. He demanded more big government and spending money on incentives. He slammed the government tax exemptions to companies like Google Israel, which earned 160 million dollars last year and paid nothing in taxes. He attacked the defense budget that has received high sums such as 53 billion NIS for Operation Cast Lead in Gaza. He revealed that this year’s 61 billion NIS defense budget can be raised if we face another operation or war. He slammed the reduction in education hours in the students’ school week. He mocked the policy of creating more classrooms and shortening the school day. He slammed the gradual cuts of 7.5 billion NIS over the last decade. He slammed the government for a shortage of beds in hospitals and for cutting the pharmaceutical budget. He attacked the government for giving local authorities more responsibilities and lowering their budgets and suggested that the public would see their services cut as a result. He blasted the government for their housing policy. He called for an end to capitalism and the rise of communism. He called for free public housing for all citizens in Israel. He attacked the policy on the environment and questioned how 40 million NIS is enough to help reinforce buildings to survive earthquakes. He said the budget was racist towards Arabs. He said there is an alternative to this budget, and it is communism. He called the government a capitalistic puppet of rich business interests.

MK Edery (Kadima) said he was disgusted when he heard Israeli companies that are building in the Arab city near Ramallah agreed to the Palestinians’ request not to buy parts or hire people from Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem or the Golan. He attacked the coalition parties who attack the government and vote with the Likud in return for hundreds of millions of NIS. He asked where the budget was for the housing crisis. He noted that Sharon absorbed a million Russians in two years easily and swiftly and he suggested the government duplicate those measures. He attacked the government for cutting the local authority budgets and raising the water prices and water taxes.

MK Bielski (Kadima) also attacked the local authority budget cuts and the raising of water prices. He noted that when he was the mayor of Ra’anana there were floods, and he renovated the sewer pipes and prevented the floods. He spoke highly of Minister Begin, who was in the room, and asked him to support a bill that he is co-sponsoring about water and sewage issues.

MK Regev (Likud) said she supported Netanyahu, but she was frustrated with the budget. She said that the budget is a bad one that raises taxes and increases poverty. She blasted the lack of funds to solve the housing shortage. She attacked the government policy of giving Tel Aviv a priority, and said that this is the State of Israel, not the State of Tel Aviv. She said that money should be spent on the Negev and the Galil instead.

MK Orbach (J.H.) attacked the nostalgia of the past speakers and said that the MKs should worry about the future. He said that he didn’t believe Netanyahu when he says that it could be a lot worse because he doesn’t buy it anymore. He said that the housing shortage is hurting the country by forcing different sectors to expand to different neighborhoods and cities, which is annoying the elite. He said that it won’t be too long before the elite starts protesting against their new Arab or Haredi neighbors. He said that we need to promote building in the Negev and the Galil before everyone moves into Gush Dan. He read a study that showed Gush Dan has 84% of the financial companies’ headquarters, and 70% of the high tech industries’ workers, 70% of lawyers, 73% of accountants and 80% of specialized doctors live there. He noted that 88% of Israel’s 100-millionaires, 89% of artists, 77% of advertisers and 74% of architects live in Gush Dan. He concluded that the government policy is to strengthen Gush Dan and let the rest of the country go to waste. He complained about the tax increase on gas and the exemption of certain gases from the tax that will benefit certain known rich tycoons.

MK Naffaa (Balad) attacked the housing shortage in the Arab and Druze sectors. He noted an 18% average cut on Druze funds in the various government ministries in general and a 69% cut in infrastructure and a 39% cut in housing in particular.

MK Avraham Balila (Kadima) attacked Netanyahu for going back on his promises for this year’s budget and for raising his ministers’ and their assistants’ salaries. She blasted the raising of the gas, cigarettes, water and city taxes, as well as lowering the subsidies on milk and cottage cheese. She said that a biannual budget is dangerous for Israel. She noted that there is no increase in budget for the Police crime-fighting programs, water infrastructure, hospital beds, the public education school system, agriculture, tourism, earthquake prevention or additional funds for the poor people. She responded that instead of those important things, the survival of the coalition is more important to Netanyahu.

MK Majadele (Labor) announced that even though he is against the budget he will vote for it and follow coalition rules. He said that every government has hurt the Arabs and this one does too. He revealed that they offered him a minister position and he rejected it because he doesn’t believe in it. He warned that Israel will lose their OECD mandate if they don’t help the Arabs. He blasted the local authorities’ budget cuts and the government’s solutions to the Carmel fire and the way the press covered it.

MK Zuaretz (Kadima) attacked the biannual budget and the many ministers and their budgets. She wondered when the OECD will kick us out of their exclusive group. She blasted the several overseas trips by Netanyahu, Barak and Liberman. She attacked Deputy Minister Gamliel for not fighting the cut to her budget and hinted that it might have something to do with her long maternity leave. She said that she is glad to have met Abu Mazen and shown him the pragmatic side.

MK Kirshenbaum (Y.B.) stated that the previous biannual budget helped Israel avoid the global financial crisis. She said she was worried that the crisis isn’t over yet and that we need another biannual budget to keep us out of that crisis. She thanked Speaker Rivlin for splitting bills from the Arrangements Bill and said that overall it is a good budget that promotes high tech and other business as well as raises the government funds for immigrants. She also praised the growth of the marketing and advertising departments in the tourism ministry.

MK Zeev (Shas) attacked the government for telling the Haredim that the budget was going towards the Arabs and telling the Arabs that the budget was going towards the Haredim. He said these were childish games. He defended the budget his party receives and said they use it to build shuls. He said his one complaint was that if the water taxes are going to be raised, there must be a body that determines which people get a tax break.  He also called for more public housing. He warned that the illegal immigrants must be stopped and something must be done against the Bedouins who make $4,000 for each illegal immigrant they bring across the border. He warned that a million and a half Sudanese are waiting in the Sinai for their turn to cross the border. He called the illegals a disease and called the Palestinians enemies who fire rockets and blow up buses. He said he was worried that if these problems are not solved Israel will have a Muslim majority.

MK Aflalo (Kadima) attacked the lowering of taxes that only help about 40% of the population, while the increase in indirect taxes hurts 100% of the population. He said that a high unemployment rate in the Negev and the Galil and the increase in gas taxes everywhere is a dangerous cocktail. He blasted the funds given to the high tech companies instead of the exporting industry. He also attacked the government’s response to the Carmel fire.

MK Moses (U.T.J.) complained about the housing shortage. He said that the situation is so bad that people sell their parking spots which they turned into small one-room apartments for $70,000-$75,000. He complained that what used to be the cost of an apartment is now the cost of just the land. He slammed the budget allocated to encourage couples who already left the country to return when the money could be used to keep the families that are thinking of leaving. He slammed Rotem’s conversion bill. He accused the finance ministry of being heartless.

MK Tibi (R.T.) slammed the government budget as racist towards the Arabs in every regard. He complained that there are no Arabs in any high level positions and that is why they are discriminated against every budget. He blasted the government for not dealing with the Arabs’ unemployment, housing and classroom shortage, for building in Judea and Samaria and for attacking Palestinians.

MK Swaid (Hadash) said that the budget maintains the status quo. He called for eliminating the defense budget. He asked how one billion NIS per plane is a worthwhile investment. He complained that every coalition party receives money for their sector and the opposition parties do not. He said that an Arab family can’t afford housing and therefore existing houses are being split into two apartments. He said the factories in the Negev and the Galil are hurting, and with the raising of water and gas taxes he expects them to shut down. He blasted the low minimum wage and the cutting of the local authorities’ budget, both of which he said will prevent the citizens from receiving their social services. He attacked the prices of prescription drugs.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) said the biggest problem with the biannual budget is that it has become a capitalistic macro budget as opposed to the traditional socialist micro budget. He praised the previous budgets of big government and criticized the recent small government ones. He attacked the reduction in the public school system budget that allowed an increase in the Haredi one. He also criticized the idea of lowering the deficit. He blasted the housing shortage and called on the government to build free public housing. He attacked the government’s decision to terminate the position of Knesset Commissioner. He attacked private institutions in general and private schools and hospitals in particular. He called on the government to prevent these institutions and to bring everything back to the government.

MK Azoulay (Shas) attacked the government cuts to the local authorities. He asked the government to present more funds to the religious authority ministry and said that what they received was not enough. He criticized the privatization of the water industry and the simultaneous raising of the water taxes. He confessed that the firefighters’ budget saddened him because he wanted their budget to be higher, and he also called for the unification of the three separate fire fighting unions.

MK Dicter (Kadima) criticized the government for not responding to 150 rockets that landed inside Israel over the past year. He suggested spending money on defending citizens instead of giving yeshiva students a raise. He said the single thing he would want to change in the budget is reinforcing schools, kindergartens and hospitals so that they can withstand rocket fire.

MK Orlev (J.H.) demanded that the government and the lawyers sit down and end the lawyers strike. He went on to praise the budget and defended it to the opposition MKs in the plenum. He also praised Netanyahu’s work in bringing Israel into the OECD. He praised the 32 billion NIS budget for education. He attacked those who slammed the cuts to the local authorities, and noted that they came as a result of raising the local city taxes. He called the local authorities cry babies and criticized their threats of a strike.

MK Oron criticized the coalition parties who are receiving money for supporting the budget and attacked Orlev for supporting this type of arrangement. He went on to attack the budget as bad news for the poor thanks to the new indirect taxes. He suggested delaying the government plan to lower the deficit completely by 2016 for a two-year period to 2018 and using that money for social services.

MK Shamalov Berkovich (Kadima) quoted former Prime Minister Rabin when he said in 1995 that ‘United Jerusalem will be the undivided capital of the Jewish people and Israel forever’. She complained that Netanyahu is not saying such words in the press. She attacked Netanyahu for not increasing police protection in eastern Jerusalem for those who wish to visit the holy places and for not fighting the crime gangs of the Arab neighborhoods. She blasted the 40% cut to public schools in Jerusalem, and similar cuts to the Negev and Galil. She wondered if Netanyahu prefers the State of Tel Aviv over the State of Israel. She slammed all of the ministers that moved their ministries to Tel Aviv such as Ministers Barak, Simhon, Braverman and Shalom. Justice Minister Neeman interrupted and said that he agrees with Shamalov Berkovich’s opinion on that subject and he took the issue up with Netanyahu. Neeman noted that he closed the justice ministry’s Tel Aviv headquarters. Shamalov Berkovich said that the capital should house all the ministries. She slammed Channel 10 that has its headquarters in Tel Aviv, as well as other government licensed companies that are in violation of their licensing, which dictates they must have their headquarters in Jerusalem. She called on Netanyahu to raise the entire Jerusalem budget instead of cutting in certain areas and increasing it in others. She called for building in Jerusalem and its suburbs in Judea and Samaria. She warned that without the suburbs of Jerusalem, Jerusalem will be doomed. She said that we must make Jerusalem cool in order to entice youngsters to stay in Jerusalem and to even move there.

MK Boim (Kadima) said that he rejected Netanyahu’s attempt to brand this budget as a ‘new reform’. He attacked the government with the most ministers and deputy ministers in Israel’s history, one that accounts for a third of the Knesset. He talked about the danger of the executive branch overpowering the legislative branch. He blasted the high 16% VAT that was supposed to be lowered but wasn’t, and the raising of the indirect taxes that will kill the middle class. He slammed the Bibi-Bank that gives money to certain sectors of Israeli society at the expense of the whole.

MK Agbaria (Hadash) criticized the rabbis of Tiberias and Nahariya for objecting to the construction of a mosque in the Tiberias and Nahariya local hospitals. He went on to blast the rabbis’ letter telling Jews not to sell property to Arabs. He said that we live in a racist religious state. He noted that Jews are against Europeans or Americans who won’t sell apartments in Europe or America to Jews and call them anti-Semites. Finance Minister Steinitz asked if Agbaria supported Arabs who did not sell their property to Jews, especially in Jerusalem. Agbaria responded that he doesn’t feel Jews have a right to live in eastern Jerusalem and clarified that not one Jew should live beyond the 1967 borders, so anyone who sells to a Jew is sinning. He said that Jews in the old city are settlers like those who live in Hebron. He called on the country to embrace communism. He said that way he can live in Netanya and the minister can live in Umm El-Fahem. He blasted the biannual budget and the high price of certain prescription drugs. He summarized the budget as anti-Arab and capitalist.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) attacked the government for giving each coalition party a bucketful of money to do with what they please. He said the citizens want answers and they are frustrated. He chose to attack MK Orlev and the National Home Party that will receive 144 million NIS in the biannual budget (Again, it should be noted that there is no such party.  MK Hasson mixed up the Jewish Home party that is in the coalition and the National Union party that sits in the opposition.) He said that overall 1.14 billion NIS will be spent on the coalition parties. He slammed the ministers’ offices budget. He charged that the money of the budget is being spent on unworthy causes instead of presenting a clear agenda. He blasted the 256,000 NIS that was being spent on the ministers’ new clothes and suits. He also attacked the lowering of direct taxes in order to raise indirect taxes. He attacked the government’s response to the Carmel fire. He warned that the government’s choice not to properly protect the country from potential earthquakes will prove to be just as costly as their lack of preparation for the fire.

MK El-Sana (R.T.) said that the budget was pointed against the Arabs. He charged that ever since the second intifada the Israelis have looked at their Arab neighbors as enemies. He asked why small sectors receive large amounts of cash but the 20% Arab minority receives nothing. He attacked the attempt to eliminate the deficit by 2016 and said that the rest of the money was being spent on the ministers and coalition parties. He said the VAT was too high and must be lowered. He blasted the cuts in education and the housing shortage. He slammed Israel for not creating a single new Arab city since 1948. He criticized the lack of public transportation in the Arab areas. He called on the government to wake up before there is another Arab uprising.

MK Solodkin (Kadima) blasted the housing crisis and the lowering of various “social” funding across all of the ministries. She slammed the government for its position towards the working lower class.

MK Tiviaev (Kadima) said he believed a budget should be fair, supportive and transparent and have integrity and promote justice. He said that he was saddened that this was not the case with this budget. He complained that the younger generation is left helpless with the housing shortage and has no immediate answers except waiting. He attacked the raising of the indirect taxes and asked if next we will be taxed for air consumption. He blasted the reduction of hours in the school week and the reduction of money for people who live on national welfare. He said he was saddened that the budgets for the elderly and holocaust survivors were cut severely.

MK Zahalka (Balad) said he liked the fact that he was the last speaker of the day. He attacked the government’s position that lowering income tax will help the poor. He said this budget is another in a long trend that brings Israel further away from its socialist roots and towards capitalism. He attacked the raising of indirect taxes. He said that even though Israel is now in the OECD they finish last in most OECD financial tables. He attacked the government funds spent on supervising kosher products and said that it would be better to do so for the Muslim community. He criticized the lowering of the higher education budget. He noted that Israel finished only in 41^st place in the public schools tests. He called on the government to change their ways and go back to socialism and separate church from state.

Deputy Speaker Akunis (Likud) announced that although the session finished at 21:12, twelve minutes later than scheduled, the session would begin tomorrow at 9 AM as specified. The MKs adjourned to enjoy their now less than twelve-hour recess before returning for the final day of budget talks, which would include about 250 votes.

Last Monday’s session lasted about six and a half hours. The Budget and Arrangements Bills were the topics of the day. After the government presented the budget six opposition parties MKs objected to the bill and started a three-day-long filibuster.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu government failure to reduce the gaps between the layers of Israeli society and its helplessness with regard to fighting poverty’ was defeated 32-58 with 30 MKs not present.
• Meretz, Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The spread of racism in Israeli society’ was defeated 27-63 with 1 MK abstaining and 29 MKs not present.
• Funds Committee Chairman MK Gafni (U.T.J.) explained his committee’s decision regarding the approval of provisions orders that will maintain the VAT at 16% instead of lowering it back to 15.5% as was originally intended. He then presented the committee’s second decision that the VAT for certain items will be raised to 16.5%. Gafni admitted that he was bringing these decisions against his own conscience. The first decision was approved 56-30. The second decision was approved 54-30.
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) announced his committee’s decision regarding transferring parts of the Arrangements Bill from the Labor Committee to the Funds Committee. The Knesset approved the measure by a vote of 52-9.

Bills Summary

2011-2012 Budget Bill and 2011-2012 Arrangements Bill

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni (U.T.J.) said that this was the smallest Arrangements Bill in Knesset history and therefore he supports this year’s Budget and Arrangements Bill. He noted that 14 bills were split off from the section of the Arrangements Bill that his committee discussed and were passed separately. He stated that the part of the bill that discussed local city councils was removed. He explained that there were many good sections of the Arrangements Bill, such as encouraging Israeli companies to stay in Israel and incentives for research and development companies. He summarized that this was a good Arrangements Bill and that it is much better coming out of the Funds Committee than it was going in. He praised the 350 million NIS that will be given to the firefighters. He slammed Kadima for attacking him. He blamed the press for determining the agenda of the State.

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained that his committee received four bills that were part of the Arrangements Bill and that two of them were split off and approved separately with support from the opposition. He explained that the two bills up for a vote now include prohibiting communication companies’ cancellation fees, prohibiting charging fees for calls between different communication companies, allowing more cell phone companies to enter the market, prohibiting communication companies from blocking their customers SIM cards, Skype or other applications, allowing the post office bank to expand and allowing further tenders to find more natural gas reserves. He thanked Communications Minister Kahlon (Likud) for ending the long celebration of the cell phone companies.

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Haim Katz (Likud) explained that the bills attached to the Arrangements Bill discussed in his committee determine a ceiling for national insurance payments to ten times the average salary, allow pharmacists to write prescriptions and lower the pension of career soldiers.

Interior and Environmental Committee Chairman Azoulay (Shas) explained that his committee received a number bills that were part of the Arrangements Bill regarding the authority and responsibility of local council and city authorities, the transferring of funds from the federal government to the local councils and incentives to contractors for building small apartments.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) explained that the biannual budget was needed in order to meet coalition agreements with U.T.J., Y.B., J.H., Shas and Labor.

Justice, Constitution and Law Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained that his committee received several bills that were part of the Arrangements Bill, mostly regarding raising taxes in order to lower the deficit. He stated that another bill would allow the government to take over an apartment building and provide financial compensation to its inhabitants if two-thirds of the apartments in the building agree to the offer.

Education, Culture and Sport Committee Chairman Miller (Y.B.) explained that his committee received several bills that were part of the Arrangements Bill and announced that first and second grade classrooms will be limited to no more than twenty children for at least twenty school hours per week, but that the class size would be a gradual drop. He stated that the budget for Jerusalem’s culture and higher education will also be raised.

MK Bar-On (Kadima) started the filibuster of the budget that would last for three days. Bar-On blasted the government for not having a single minister or MK in the plenum for his speech. Minister Herzog (Labor) showed up after a few minutes. Bar-On slammed the government for bringing a budget similar to last year’s and said that there are no changes of substance. He attacked the biannual budget and warned that the government was playing with fire. He remarked that the budget that is being spent on 30 ministers and nine deputy ministers is a waste and that most of them don’t even work. He called the ministers a bunch of “gabay’s”. He wondered why Minister Meridor is making an annual ten million NIS and why Minister Braverman’s ministry costs 28 million NIS annually. He wondered why Deputy Minister Kara needs five million NIS annually. He stated that if Netanyahu cancelled one ministry he would be able to save several programs that are currently being cut in order to shrink the deficit. He slammed Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Katz for putting their names and faces on every road that they repair. He suggested placing a sign where the Carmel forest used to be stating ‘here used to be a forest, didn’t stop the fire, signed Netanyahu’. He attacked the indirect taxes as well. He attacked Ministers Shalom, Braverman, Livnat, Barak and Simhon for moving their offices to Tel Aviv and asking the tax payers to pay for it. He warned that the government is dividing the nation by allowing the ultra-orthodox and the Israeli Arabs to determine their own education system. He warned that for the first time fewer than 50% of Israelis are studying in government or public schools. He noted that the budget awards university students 366 million NIS and yeshiva students 940 million NIS.

MK Yacimovich (Labor) recalled Netanyahu’s pledges on the television advertisements before last elections about how he would lower taxes. She noted that although she would make more money in such an arrangement, the country would have less money to spend on the necessities a country must pay for. She said that she was happy that Netanyahu was raising taxes instead of standing by his populist promise, but that he should be charging more taxes in order to eliminate the deficit completely and please our OECD friends. She noted that 50% of the public doesn’t even make the average wage and won’t have to pay for it, but that the middle class will have to pay for it because of the indirect taxes and that scares her. She said that the middle class is the backbone of society and most of the taxes should be on the rich. She said the indirect taxes on gas will hurt the middle class more than the rich. She disagreed that raising taxes on gas will encourage people to drive less or use more public transportation options. She called the tax a regressive tax as opposed to a progressive one. She criticized Netanyahu for giving gasoline tax exemptions to his friends’ factories and those who hired lobbyists. She also attacked the government for refusing to add more public housing.

MK Ilatov (Y.B.) was heckled by Bar-On, who called on Minister Herzog to resign. Ilatov stated that overall the budget is pretty balanced, and because it is for two years it ensures political and financial stability. He praised the incentives for high tech companies.

MK Vaknin (Shas) praised the 350 million NIS the budget allots for firefighters. He complained about his moshav, Yarah, which received approval for 240 housing units, but has only been able to break ground on 40 of them due to lack of funds. He wondered why his government can give twenty billion NIS in tax breaks to big companies but can’t spend two billion on housing.

MK Plesner (Kadima) blasted Minister Herzog for taking a five-minute bathroom break. Vaknin responded that even ministers have rights. Plesner responded that the coalition, with its automatic majority, doesn’t see a reason to sit and hear the MKs debate the budget. He blasted the government for not finding a solution to the housing shortage. He elaborated that the country is divided into two, those who own a home and those who are at the mercy of the home owners and the government. He wondered why Minister Ya’alon needs an annual ten million NIS budget for his ministry and why Minister Shalom needs two hundred million NIS per year for his ministry that includes over a hundred employees. He charged Netanyahu with buying his coalition partners with money. He asked why the yeshiva students were given priority over the 60,000 university students. He slammed the decision to give tax breaks to industries in Judea and Samaria. He blasted the ultra-orthodox MKs in the room who did not serve in the army and said that they are not Zionists. MK Zeev heckled back. Plesner summarized that this is an illegitimate government.

MK Ganaim (R.T.) said the budget discriminates against the Israeli Arab population and began a rant in Arabic in which he quoted from the Koran. He accused the government of bypassing the democratically elected legislative branch. He stated that even Minorities Minister Braverman’s budget has little to show for itself. He called the Jewish state illegitimate and attacked Israel for not allowing the right of return to the land’s rightful Arab owners and compensating them for the years that the Jews enjoyed their land. He questioned how Israel could be a part of the OECD. He slammed Israel for assisting the Jewish industries before they help the Arab industries, which only account for 2.4% of the industrial zoning in Israel.

MK Ariel (N.U.) asked those present what they thought about the circus show called Netanyahu-Lieberman. Minister Herzog confessed it was a sad circus. Ariel responded he finds the circus more funny than sad. He laughed at Herzog and said that the Labor party is trapped in the aquarium of the circus and has no power. He quoted the popular slogan ‘if I forget Jerusalem, forget my right hand’, and attacked Netanyahu for freezing construction in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, thereby raising real estate property prices State-wide. He noted last year in Jerusalem 3,500 building units were approved and this year only 350 were approved. He noted that in Judea and Samaria the number of approved units decreased from 5,000 to zero. He lectured that there have been no significant housing increases anywhere in the country, and when there is a shortage of 8,000 housing units per year the prices go up. He wondered why in the 348 billion NIS budget for this year and the 365 billion NIS budget for next year there is no room to solve the housing crisis or the illegal immigrant crisis. He stated that 3 billion NIS for a fence with Egypt is a good first step but is not the only step needed to fight the influx of illegal immigrants. He suggested cutting the 60 billion NIS defense budget by three billion NIS (a 5% reduction) and adding it to the education ministry. He concluded by asking the Knesset to stand behind Jonathan Pollard.

MK Barakeh (Hadash) said that there is no reason to shrink the deficit and presented the United States as an example of an economy that can bounce back with a large deficit. He attacked the two-year budget and said that an annual budget is more appropriate. He charged that there is a connection between the rich and the leaders of the country that is inappropriate. He blasted the defense budget as unnecessary and proof that Israel is an aggressor that conquered the land of the Arabs and is living in it unjustly. He also attacked the tax increase. He concluded that the budget looks like a demagogic cliché aimed against the Arab public.

MK Molla (Kadima) attacked the government for over twenty minutes for the way they handled the Carmel fire and got into arguments with the Shas MKs in the room. He attacked Minister Peled, whose office’s budget stands at two and a half million NIS annually. He concluded by labeling the budget one that will increase poverty in Israel by raising taxes and not solving the housing crisis. He warned that the OECD might kick us out of their club.

Several coalition MKs attacked Deputy Speaker Whbee (Kadima) for not closing the session at 22:00 as agreed, and allowing MK Molla to speak seventeen minutes over his time. The session closed at 22:17 PM and would reopen the next day at 09:00 AM, which would give the MKs a ten and a half hour break to get some sleep.

Last Wednesday’s session lasted about eight hours and forty five minutes. An additional seven bills were split off from the Arrangements Bill. Ten bills were discussed. Five bills passed their preliminary reading and were advanced, two were defeated, two were turned into motions in order to avoid defeat and one was pulled before being voted on for the same reason. The highlight bill of the day was one that will prohibit communications companies from charging cancellation fees to their customers- that bill advanced. Another bill that advanced was the Female Representation on Inquiry Committees and Government Review Commissions Bill, a bill that found MK Zeev as the sole objector.

Non-Bills Summary

• Speaker Rivlin announced at the opening of the session that Deputy Speaker Shama (Likud) submitted his resignation as Deputy Speaker and that it was accepted.
• Splitting Bills off from Arrangements Bill: Funds Committee Chairman Gafni (U.T.J.) asked the Knesset to split four bills from the Arrangements Bill. He explained that the first concerns raising taxes, the second would give a municipal tax exemption to property burned in the Carmel fire, the third involves agriculture rules and the fourth addresses how citizens should be reporting their taxes. The four bills were split off by votes of 24-0, 26-0, 26-0 and 26-0. MK Dicter (Kadima) asked the Knesset to split a bill from the Arrangements Bill in the name of the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee. He explained that the bill would allow the army to force Bezeq to put up any new phone lines needed in a time of war. The bill was split off by a 14-0 vote. Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) asked the Knesset to split two bills from the Arrangements Bill. He explained the first bill would designate certain areas to search for oil and the second would institute several changes to the rules of television broadcasts. The two bills were split off by votes of 13-0 and 13-0.
• Speaker Rivlin greeted the Macedonian Speaker of the House and his entourage with a warm speech.
• Transportation Minister Katz (Likud), Environment Minister Erdan (Likud), Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) and Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) answered urgent queries.
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) announced that his committee has nominated MK Akunis (Likud) to replace MK Shama (Likud) as Deputy Speaker following Shama’s resignation. The Knesset approved the nomination 15-0.
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin announced a shuffle in the Funds Committee. MK Oron (Meretz) and MK Hermesh (Kadima) will be members of the committee and MK Tirosh (Kadima) will now be a substitute.
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin announced the committee’s decisions on which disputed bills and motions should be discussed in which committees. The decisions were approved 21-0.
• Nine motions were discussed on the hot topics of the day. Seven were passed and sent to their relevant committees for further discussion by votes of 11-0, 6-0, 4-0, 6-0, 7-0, 5-0, and 6-0. Two motions were defeated by the narrow margins of 6-8 and 2-4.
• Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon (Y.B.) and Religious Affairs Minister Margi (Shas) answered queries at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Olympic Preparations Bill

MK Miller (Y.B.) explained that his amendment would require the State to put aside 20 million NIS annually for the preparations required for assembling the Israeli Olympic team.

Culture Minister Livnat (Likud) expressed government support for the bill.

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

Amendment to the Companies Bill

MK Amnon Cohen explained that his amendment would require private investment houses to fulfill the same duties that public investment houses are required to follow. He gave the example of disclosing annual financial statements as one of those duties.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill.

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

Female Representation on Inquiry Committees and Government Review Commissions Bill

MK Itzik (Kadima) explained that her amendment would require female representation on all government inquiry committees and government review commissions. She blasted past governments and the current government for not assigning women to these committees. She noted that only two females have served in such committees since the founding of the State.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill. He clarified that the amendment would require a third of every committee to be female as long as they meet the requirements to be a committee member.

Galil and Negev Minister Shalom (Likud) expressed his personal support for the bill. He asked that some of the females on the committees should be from the Negev and the Galil and not be the wives of the male committee members.

MK Zeev (Shas) objected to the bill. He said that this will not bring equality to women, but will send them further from their husbands. He asked why committees need to spend months finding the few qualified women, when they could be investigating. He said that women have equal rights when they stand beside their husbands. He warned this bill hurts the standing of women. He questioned a committee’s ability to make decisions when one-third of its members are women.

MK Itzik said that she knows Zeev’s wife personally and that she expects that he will be punished when he gets home tonight.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 56-0 (MK Zeev didn’t vote) and was sent to the House Committee to determine if the Women’s Rights Committee or the Justice Committee would discuss the bill further.

Motion/Amendment to the Copyright Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained that his amendment would permit parents to download their children’s textbooks and workbooks from government websites. He expressed hope that this would help parents save thousands of shekels annually. He questioned why a country in which over 70% of households have internet access should force parents to spend money unnecessarily.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) said that he agreed with the bill in principle, but that the bill calls for a complete widespread change that the education ministry is not ready for. He suggested Sheetrit turn the bill into a motion that will be discussed in the Science and Technology Committee which Sheetrit chairs.

MK Sheetrit agreed.

The motion passed 37-0.

Amendment to the Communications Bill

MK Shamalov-Berkovich (Kadima) explained that her amendment would prohibit land line, broadcast and communications companies from charging their customers cancellation fines. She said that the current situation prevents free market and competition. She asked why a customer who is not pleased with the service of his television, internet or cell phone company should be forced to pay for termination of the service.

Speaker Rivlin thanked Shamalov-Berkovich for founding the Russian Channel 9 without asking for any government funds.

MK Akunis (Likud) called it a capitalistic and moral bill. He said his office received several complaints about cancellation fees that surpassed 5,000 NIS. He called the prohibition of cancellation fees a revolution that will liberate the Israeli customer from his virtual jail cell.

Communications Minister Kahlon (Likud) expressed government support for the bill and thanked co-sponsors Shamalov-Berkovich and Akunis for pushing this bill for the last six months. Kahlon said that a fine is given to a criminal and not to a consumer.

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

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

MK Bielski (Kadima) explained that his amendment would require a minimum sentence for abandoning a person injured in an accident and a prohibition from accepting a plea bargain from the defendant for such an offense. He thanked the government for coming to their senses and supporting the bill. He noted that 243 hit and run crimes were committed in 2010. He thanked a long list of politicians and assistants who helped him with the bill. He also apologized for hurting the transportation minister’s feelings.

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

The bill passed its preliminary reading 45-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Non-Formal Education for Children and Youth Bill

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) explained that his amendment would budget for more youth groups, community centers and other after-school non-formal education centers. He revealed that his professional background is in this field. He quoted studies that found cities with more non-formal educational programs have less crime. He warned that many of these programs are in danger of closing. He hoped to set a standard for the future. He was told that the government was against the bill because the government planned to present their own version of the bill. He said that he has been waiting for a year already, and he is willing to give the credit to the government if they want it. He said that the bill is more important than the credit. He agreed for now to withdraw the bill but warned that if in five months he doesn’t see a government version of the bill, he will bring up the bill again in order to embarrass them.

Amendment to the Rental and Borrowing Bill

MK Molla (Kadima) explained that his amendment would set a limit on raising rents. He blasted the government for allowing the real estate market to skyrocket. He said that rental prices are leading young couples into bankruptcy. He called for a ceiling on rent prices and for regulation on the rental real estate property market. He remarked that people are leaving the country in order to find cheaper rental prices. He asked how we could be members of the OECD if people can’t afford rent.

Minister Begin (Likud) expressed government opposition to the bill. He noted that Kadima MK Tiviaev and former Kadima MK Nudelman both submitted identical bills, and they were both defeated. Begin said there is no reason for the government to regulate the renting market of real estate properties. He said that every owner is allowed to charge what they want, and if the renter does not want to pay that price he is free to live somewhere else. Begin reminded Molla that we live in a free country, and people can more or less do what they want unless they are hurting someone or the country.

MK Molla responded that when the public is hurting, it is the legislators’ job to come in and do something about it. He attacked Prime Minister Netanyahu, who was in the room, for hurting young couples’ chances to live in a normally priced apartment.

The bill was defeated 24-36.

Client Liability for Contractor Services and Workers’ Rights Bill/Motion

MK Khenin (Hadash) said this was among his most important bills. He warned that 20% of workers are employed through contractor services and therefore their employers are not legally responsible for their rights. He said that for the employers this situation is comfortable and presents incentives to use contactor services, but it is a nightmare for the workers who are not given the rights they deserve. He said it was an illegitimate attempt to avoid giving workers the conditions needed to work.

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Noked (Labor) expressed government opposition to the bill. She called the bill too widespread and mentioned there is a similar government bill that will deal with specific issues and not eliminate contractor services altogether. She asked Khenin to turn the bill into a motion.

MK Khenin called the government bill unbalanced and limiting. He warned that the government bill will not provide an answer to all the people who are being used every day. Khenin agreed to turn the bill into a motion.

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

Amendment to the National Health Insurance Bill

MK Oron (Meretz) explained that his amendment would allow insurance holders the ability to select where to receive services. He explained that sometimes people are sent to further clinics instead of ones that are closer to them for certain treatments and doctor appointments and are not able to decide for themselves where to go. He stated that Israel has a great national health insurance system, and this bill will correct one of the few problems that remain.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) said he personally supports the bill but the government opposes the bill and he will respect the coalition. He explained the government is afraid that the clinics will not be able to handle it if insurance holders had that much control.

MK Oron asked that in the future the government send someone to object to his bill that actually opposes it.

The bill was defeated 11-30.