Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Monday’s session lasted about five hours. Nine bills were discussed. Four bills passed their third readings, and five bills passed their first readings. The four new laws include changing the position name of welfare officers to social workers, lowering the allowed alcohol level for drivers age 24 and younger, increased security for mayors and their deputies and forcing communication companies to send a free message if a text message, voice message or picture were not received. Among the bills that passed their first reading are a bill that would charge a 10 NIS fine for missed doctor appointments and a bill that would increase the Israeli work week from 40 hours to 45 hours. Overall, it was one of the most interesting sessions of the winter so far.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled “Netanyahu government’s failure to meet the housing crisis and being dismissive of the public’s intelligence” was defeated 27-52 (41 MKs were not present).
• The three Israeli-Arab parties’ no-confidence motion titled “Tenders to build 1300 housing units in East Jerusalem in general and Har Homa in particular” was defeated 8-51, with 17 MKs abstaining and 44 MKs not present.
• House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) asked the Knesset to approve sending a certain bill to a different committee. The decision was accepted by a 14-0 vote.
• The Government’s announcement on the transfer of certain powers from Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) to Justice Minister Neeman and other powers to Minister Begin (Likud) due to conflicts of interest were brought by Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas). Speaker Rivlin said that he didn’t understand why there was a conflict of interest. MK Rotem (Y.B.) explained that there was no conflict of interest in either of the cases and that the votes were both unnecessary and extreme.  They were approved by the votes of 26-0 and 25-0 with MK Rotem abstaining.
• The Funds Committee’s decision regarding the approval of provision orders was challenged by MK Ariel (N.U.) and brought to the plenum for a vote. Ariel blasted the government for raising taxes every chance they had. MK Gafni (U.T.J.) explained that by raising the taxes the government will collect an additional 200 million NIS. The provision orders were passed by the votes of 24-4-1 and 24-3-1.
• The Funds Committee proposed to split off part of the Arrangements Bill in regard to a part of the economic policy for the years 2011 and 2012. MK Gafni explained that he wanted to place restrictions on student tax exemptions to avoid loopholes where students will receive money for not working. He blasted Kadima for not showing up to the committee meetings. He noted that his party and the others care about the college students and that Kadima just pretends. MK Miller (Y.B.) explained that the point of the law was to help students that work and that the loopholes must be corrected. MK Ben Ari (N.U.) said that taxing college students who work is the problem and not the solution. The proposal passed 22-0.
• MK Gafni asked to split off bills from the Arrangements Bill that have a consensus between the opposition and the collation. The proposal passed 19-1.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Replacing the Term “Welfare Officer” Bill

MK Levy-Abekasis (Y.B.) explained that the amendment would change the term “welfare officer” to “social worker”.

The bill passed its second reading 47-0.

The bill passed its third reading 53-0.

Amendment to the Communications Bill

Finance Committee Chairman MK Akunis (Likud) explained that the amendment would force all cellular companies and other communication companies to send a message to the consumer if a text message, voice message or picture were not received. The bill also forbids any communication company from charging a consumer for a failed text message, voice message or picture that was not received.

The bill passed its second reading 52-0.

The bill passed its third reading 51-0.

MK Aflalo (Kadima) thanked the Knesset for approving his bill. He said that this law would improve consumer service and Israelis would no longer need to wonder if the other person got their message.

Amendment to the National Health Insurance Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) explained that the amendment would place a 10 NIS fine on any patient that misses their appointment. He noted that if the patient cancels the appointment they won’t be fined. He expressed hope that this bill would encourage patients to cancel their appointments if they are no longer needed, which would allow the really sick patients access to the care they deserve.

MK Adatto (Kadima) thanked the government for taking this bill out of the Arrangements Bill and slammed the government for the terrible bill. She expressed that as a former hospital director she knows that instead of solving the problem this bill will create a new one. She suggested forcing the clinics to call the day before to see if the patients were coming in. She wondered why a patient who was too sick to make it to their appointment should receive the fine as well.

MK Ariel blasted the government for placing another fine on the sick people of the country. He stated that this won’t even bring in money to the country because the state now has to hire people to manage the appeal system proposed in the bill.

MK Ben Ari told a story about a woman who had an appointment for a special test in the hospital for her sick baby. He explained she had to wait three months for the appointment, and the week of the scheduled appointment they pushed it off another month. The day of the appointment the traffic was bad, and it took her time to find parking. She made it to the hospital office ten minutes late, and they wouldn’t let her in. She offered to wait for hours and stay until the end of the day, but the doctor refused and sent her home. He asked the government to look themselves in the mirror if they want to know why there are problems with the appointments.

MK Khenin (Hadash) said that that the motivation for the bill is not justified. He warned that people might not seek medical attention because they are afraid they might be fined if they can’t make it. He added that in the long run the bill will cost more money than it is brings in and cause people to think twice before they make an appointment.

MK Molla (Kadima) attacked Deputy Minister Cohen personally and told him that he directly was hurting the poorest sectors of society. Cohen fired back, and Deputy Speaker Vaknin (Shas) sent Molla back to his seat.

MK Zeev (Shas) told everyone to calm down and reminded everyone that the fine is only 10 NIS. He suggested raising the health coverage by 10 NIS per month instead of fining for each missed appointment.

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) said that this was one of the dumbest bills he has ever seen. He said that the lines for appointments are so long, and this will put more pressure on the doctors to see their patients for less time. He asked why we want to give the kupat cholim directors more money. Sheetrit called the bill an embarrassment and suggested that the coalition members walk out of the room for the voting to save their dignity.

MK Rotem (Y.B.) asked if the patients waiting will receive 10 NIS when a doctor shows up late. He joked that the clinics’ phone lines are always busy, so it is impossible to cancel an appointment.

MK Oron (Meretz) noted that over the last year health care coverage rates have increased 10%, specifically for medication, and now it would seem appointments are next.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen charged that the MKs didn’t read the bill. He said this was not a tax, but a fine. He explained that no one wants the money and that it probably won’t be enforced. He stated that all this bill is asking for is that people cancel their appointments if they aren’t going to be there in order to make room for others.

The bill passed its first reading 23-16 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendment to the Work and Rest Hours Bill

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Noked (Labor) explained that the amendment would increase the maximum work day without overtime to ten hours and the maximum work week without overtime to 45 hours. She added that the kibbutzim would not be included in this bill.

MK Khenin called this bill a violation of human rights. He suggested leaving the bill the way it was. He attacked the government for transferring the responsibilities of this bill to the Industry and Trade ministry from the Labor and Welfare ministry, citing a conflict of interest.

MK Molla slammed the government for increasing the standard work week by five hours and for increasing certain work days by two hours without raising the salary.

MK Zeev reminded Molla that in Israel there used to be a six-day 48-hour work week until former Prime Minister Begin started to lower that number in the 1980s. He suggested looking at the first increase of the Israeli work week in proportion.

MK Ben Ari stated that Israel has become a society of overtime and living to work instead of working to live. He slammed materialism and told people to spend time with their families.

The bill passed its first reading 31-11 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Maintenance and Cleanliness Bill

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) explained that every year a million and a half tons of construction waste is not properly disposed of. He explained that violators of this bill would receive between one to three years in prison. He said that repeat offenders will have their construction vehicles impounded and their licenses revoked.

MK Zeev suggested raising the fine for such offences and said that a prison sentence was excessive.

The bill passed its first reading 34-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Antitrust Bill

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Noked explained that the amendment would prohibit
“concentration groups” from buying up real estate projects early and selling them for higher rates later. She called these groups a monopoly that must be stopped.

MK Cohen (Shas) explained that his bill was first proposed in 2003 and remarked that it has been a long struggle to get this bill passed.

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

Amendment to the Knesset Bill

MK Levin explained his amendment would remove the position of Knesset Commissioner for Future Generations. He explained that the first and only Knesset Commissioner served from 2001-2006 and since that time the position has remained vacant and therefore should be removed. He criticized the position of the Knesset Commissioner, a position meant for a former judge, who is an appointed official governing over the elected legislative parliament. He called it a danger to democracy. He suggested placing a former MK as a Judicial Commissioner over the Supreme Court instead.

MK Khenin agreed that there are threats to democracy but disagreed that the Knesset Commissioner was one. He warned that the Knesset views Israel’s short term future and that the Knesset Commissioner can see Israel’s long term future. He charged that this bill will weaken the Knesset and make it less democratic.

MK Orbach (J.H.) suggested that the name ‘Knesset Commissioner for Future Generations’ caused its downfall. He said the name was crazy and it makes the MKs feel like they are nothing. He asked who it was who came up with that name and blamed them for the closing of the position.

MK Oron mocked the government for claiming that a biannual budget is historic while claiming that the long term vision of the Knesset Commissioner is flawed. He suggested instead of killing the position that it be transferred to the M.M.M. (information and research center) of the Knesset.

MK Ben Ari claimed that each of the elected 120 MKs is ‘Knesset Commissioners for Future Generations’. He said it was ridiculous and insulting to the Knesset to have a Commissioner. He stated that people who are not sure if their bills are democratic have parliamentary assistants to consult with. He concluded that no one listened to the Knesset Commissioner anyway and that is why he resigned in 2006.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) said that he understood from Ben Ari’s speech that the Commissioner is part of a terrorist group called the Supreme Court. He asked how it was undemocratic to have a judge who has no veto power in a Knesset consulting job.

Speaker Rivlin gave a history lesson on the Knesset Commissioner for Future Generations.

MK Ghilon (Meretz) told Orbach that the Knesset doesn’t have a problem with the Knesset Commissioner for Future Generations, but rather with the future generations.

The bill passed its first reading 22-5 and was sent to the House Committee.

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

MK Amar (Y.B.) explained that his amendment would place a lower alcohol limit on drivers age 24 and under. He thanked his co-sponsor MK Ilatov (Y.B.) and Finance Committee Chairman MK Akunis for helping him with his bill. Deputy Speaker Whbee (Kadima) noted that Amar is the head of the Knesset lobby for traffic safety.

The bill passed its second reading 15-0.

The bill passed its third reading 15-0.

Amendment to the Municipalities Ordinance Bill

Interior Committee Chairman MK Azoulay (Shas) explained that his amendment would increase security for mayors and their deputies. He explained that the bill had been tied up in red tape for over two years. He said that he hoped this bill will help protect local officials.

The bill passed its second reading 11-0.

The bill passed its third reading 10-0.

Wednesday’s session lasted about six hours. Four bills were discussed. One passed its preliminary reading, and three were defeated. The highlighted bill of the day that would put conditions for female army exemption on grounds of religious recognition was defeated. What passed was a bill that would force real estate brokers to disclose the transaction brokerage fees in the listing prices of both rentals and sales.

Non-Bills Summary

• Deputy Defense Minister Vilnai (Labor), Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.), Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas), Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) and Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) all answered urgent queries at the start of the session.
• Nine motions on the hot topics of the day were discussed. Eight of the motions were sent to various Knesset committees by the votes of: 19-0, 10-0, 8-0, 11-0, 10-0, 8-0, 4-0 and 5-0. One of the motions was not voted on and therefore dropped.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Real Estate Brokers Bill

MK Akunis (Likud) explained his amendment would force real estate brokers to disclose the transaction brokerage fees in the listing prices of both rentals and sales of apartments and houses.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 29-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill further.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

MK Barakeh (Hadash) explained his amendment would present a tax exemption for corporations which employ the handicapped. He expressed that it is wiser to give tax free jobs to the handicapped, as opposed to giving them free government funds for not working. He cited a study that found that out of all western countries only South Korea gives fewer rights than Israel to the handicapped. He called this unacceptable.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) expressed government opposition to the bill.  He stated that the handicapped in Israel have a higher employment rate than the rest of the population and therefore the government did not see a reason for the bill.

MK Barakeh expressed his disappointment with the government’s decision.

The bill was defeated 16-51.

Amendment to the Police Ordinance Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained that her amendment would require higher education as a condition for the recruitment of detectives to the police. She warned that Israel can’t call itself a modern country if they don’t expect their detectives to have a college degree.

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) expressed government opposition to the bill. He explained that most of the criteria that make a good detective come from previous experience and not from what they may have learned in the classroom. He noted that most of the detectives do have degrees anyway, so this is a pointless bill aimed at the talented few who do not have a college education, some of whom are the best detectives in the country.

The bill was defeated 12-45 with one MK abstaining.

Amendment to the Security Service Bill

MK Yisrael Hasson (Kadima) explained that his amendment would put conditions for female army exemption on grounds of religious recognition. He exposed a quote by Minister Nahari in an ultra-orthodox paper where he said he planned on burying this bill. Minister Nahari heckled back. Hasson told Nahari and the ultra-orthodox that they should be ashamed of themselves. He said it was not fair that his daughters serve and Shas’ daughters do not.

Minister Erdan (Likud) agreed that something needs to be done with secular women pretending to be religious. He stated there is no reason to force religious women into the army. He noted that a government bill on the issue of women pretending to be religious to get out of the army has passed its first reading, and the committee will send it for second and third readings in about a month. He accused Hasson for presenting this bill because of political motivation and not good will. He lectured Hasson to stop attempting to embarrass the government on silly issues.

MK Hasson responded that this was a “real” bill, and it has nothing to do with politics. He explained that there are differences between his bill and the government bill. For instance the government bill would still force conservative and reform female Jews to serve in the army, and his bill would exempt them. He went on to attack the government in general and Shas in particular.

Minister Nahari (Shas) responded to attacks against him by attacking Kadima and MK Hasson.

Deputy Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) responded to attacks against him by asking MK Hasson why he hasn’t been at any of the committee meetings on the government bill. Litzman answered it was because Hasson doesn’t really care about changing anything, he only cares about speaking against the ultra-orthodox. He concluded that religious women will never serve in the army and there is nothing Hasson or anyone else will be able to do about it.

The bill was defeated 28-51 with one MK abstaining.

MK Hasson offered his apologies if he hurt Minister Nahari’s and Deputy Minister Litzman’s feelings. He stated that his problem was with their opinions not with them as people. He mentioned that if Minister Nahari was misquoted that he will take action against the papers that misquoted him. He added that he wants to create committees to deal with these important issues, such as helping the agriculture community.

Speaker Rivlin responded that there is a committee called the Foreign Workers Committee that helps the agriculture community. He stated that the chairman of the committee, MK Katzeleh (N.U.), was in the room, and Hasson could speak with him about it.

Deputy Speaker Vaknin (Shas) said that there is a committee for everything and there is no reason to create more committees. He noted that Katzeleh does a good job and that Hasson should speak with him.

Tuesday’s session lasted about two hours. Two bills were discussed. A bill that would prohibit advertisements that offer prostitution services passed its preliminary reading. Another anti-importing bill, this time one that would prohibit importing Israeli flags, passed its first reading. MK Mofaz was named the new Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman. Attendance was light following the long seven and a half hour session that ended after 11:30 PM the night before.

Non-Bills Summary

• House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) informed the plenum that MK Mofaz (Kadima) will replace suspended MK Hanegbi (Kadima) as the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman. He expressed regret to the other candidate for the position, MK Eldad (N.U.), and told him that it must remain a Kadima position. He also announced that MK Cabel (Labor) will replace retired MK Pines-Paz (Labor) in the Justice Committee. Speaker Rivlin was surprised that it took a year to name a replacement. Levin concluded by revealing the House Committee decisions on the proper committee destination for the bills and motions that were in question.
• 13 MKs discussed various topics in the “One Minute Speech” segment of the day. The hottest topic was International “Struggle against Violence against Women Day”.
• A motion on International “Struggle against Violence against Women Day” was discussed by eight speakers.

Bills Summary

Two Amendments to the Penal Code Bill

MK Zuaretz (Kadima) explained that her amendment would prohibit advertisements that offer prostitution services. She blamed society for causing violence against women. She criticized Tel Aviv and Eilat as cities that have an overflow of prostitution service advertisements and said that the time has come to outlaw these disgusting things. She noted that local papers have started placing these ads in their papers. She revealed that this bill will place a fine on any publication that advertises these “services” and will send those who bought the ad to jail for a sentence ranging between six months to seven years, depending on the type of violation. She stated that prostitution makes men look at women as objects and pieces of meat.

MK Khenin (Hadash) stated that his identical amendment will end the suffering of many women. He claimed that the bill does not harm freedom of expression because in most cases the freedom of one person is traded for the freedom of another.

Deputy Minister of Women Affairs Gamliel (Likud) expressed government support for the bill.

Both amendments passed their preliminary readings by identical 16-0 votes. The House Committee will decide which committee will prepare the bill for its first reading.

Amendment to the Flag, Emblem and National Anthem Bill

MK Yacimovich (Labor) explained that the amendment would prohibit the acquisition and importing of Israeli flags from other countries. She said it saddened her that many Chinese children die producing 95% of the flags with which we celebrate our Independence Day.  She criticized Bank Hapoalim for their annual “Zionist” Israeli flag drive on Independence Day during which they choose Chinese-made flags because they are cheaper.  She responded that it was the opposite of Zionist.

MK Zeev (Shas) said that importing goods from China or other countries is a dangerous thing and it is better to do everything in house. He said that he supported this bill because most of the public will choose the cheaper option even if that means choosing the Chinese option over the Israeli one.

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

Monday’s session lasted seven and a half hours, and the entire discussion was spent on one bill. The Jerusalem and Golan National Referendum passed its third reading 65-33 at 11:30 PM. Most of the important details of the law were not covered by any of the news outlets, such as the fact that the bill itself was passed in 1999 and that the amendment to implement it was co-sponsored by two Kadima MKs in the previous Knesset, where it passed its preliminary and first readings.  There is also a clause that would skip the referendum if 80 MKs approve the measure, and the bill can be repealed at any time with a simple majority of 2 MKs to 1. Read on to find out more about the most talked about bill of the winter.

Amendment to the Law and Administration Bill

MK Levin (Likud) explained that his amendment would allow the application of the jurisdiction and administration laws to be changed to enable a national referendum vote on the issue of territorial withdrawal that would be implemented by the central elections committee. He mentioned it was an honor to have revived this bill from the previously elected Knesset (MK’s Itzchaky and Avraham Balila from Kadima were the co-sponsors), and pass it through the committee which he chaired. He stated that this bill would prohibit the State of Israel from withdrawing or transferring territory that has been annexed unless a majority of a national referendum vote approves it after 61 MKs approve the measure. He explained that in 1999 a similar bill had passed but couldn’t be implemented because of judicial loopholes. He reported that most western countries have national referendums for certain situations. He added the current bill had passed a first reading with 65 MKs supporting the bill under Prime Minister Olmert’s administration. Levin explained that he added four objections to the bill in order to please the government and have its approval, the most important of which was an objection that included a clause that would allow the Knesset to skip the referendum if 80 MKs supported doing so. He concluded by stating that the referendum would bring peace between peoples, as opposed to a peace just between leaders.

Speaker Rivlin asked what the difference was between 61 MKs, who could approve a withdrawal or transfer leading to a national referendum vote, and 80 MKs, who could approve such a withdrawal and forgo the vote.

MK Levin responded that he disagrees with the clause of the 80 MKs, but without that clause the government would not support the bill.

MK Oron (Meretz) objected to the bill. He charged that the bill was a Knesset bypass bill. He blasted the bill as one that will make it very hard to achieve peace and would cause the entire peace process to die. He alleged that this bill was being brought to vote because the coalition believes Netanyahu will try to give away Jerusalem and the Golan. He concluded by calling the bill undemocratic.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Edelstein (Likud) explained that this bill will prevent a follow-up to the Oslo accords in which a Mitsubishi or a Volvo swings the deciding vote. He expressed full government support for the bill and Levin’s four objections.

MK Molla (Kadima) called a national referendum a real danger. He wondered if the timing of the bill has something to do with Netanyahu supporting this bill at the expense of demanding a backing for his settlement building freeze. He recalled that Ben-Gurion didn’t ask for a national referendum when he drew the borders in 1948. He noted that if the issue of bringing the Ethiopian Jews into Israel went to a referendum he would still be in Ethiopia. He praised former Prime Minister Rabin’s Oslo peace agreement and peace agreement with Jordan, both of which were signed without a referendum. He warned that the world will look at Israel if this bill passes and call us an apartheid state. He informed the plenum that if this bill passes he will propose a referendum bill that would separate church from state. He concluded by warning that the message we are sending with this bill is that Israel is against peace.

MK Zahalka (Balad) charged that this bill will end the peace process. He explained that no Palestinian will negotiate a deal that does not include Jerusalem. He called on Israel to follow international law and return to the borders of June 4^th 1967. He blasted Israel for saying there is no need for a referendum to annex Jerusalem or the Golan, but there is a need for one to withdraw.

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) stated that we don’t need a referendum to decide whether we should withdraw from any part of Israel because the answer is that any withdrawal is forbidden. He explained that because of that point the National Union at first was going to oppose the bill, but they have agreed to assist their friend MK Levin and vote as a block for the bill. Katzeleh concluded by saying that they don’t want to bring down the Likud government, but they do want to bring down Netanyahu and have the Likud replace him with someone more worthy, such as MK Ya’alon.

MK Levin reminded MK Oron that the bill already passed in 1999, and he was just expanding on and setting up the execution of that bill. He added that Kadima proposed this bill and passed it in its preliminary and first readings. He hoped that Kadima would vote for their own bill in its second and third readings.

MK Rotem (Y.B.) said that there is a national referendum every four years. Sometimes the right takes power and takes steps that the public did not vote for. He stated the public is against freezing settlement building and is against withdrawing from the Golan and Jerusalem. Therefore his party is voting for the referendum in order to keep the right in check.

MK El-Sana (R.T.) suggested that the referendum voting be limited to just the Golan Druze and the Arab Jerusalemites.

MK Adatto (Kadima) objected to referendums on fateful issues. She also objected to giving the people a veto on any Knesset vote. She charged that there will be lower voting numbers in a referendum than there is traditionally for a Knesset election.

MK Ghilon (Meretz) suggested that we go back to biblical times and that he and MK Katzeleh fight it out, throw punches and winner takes all. He noted that both of them are crippled and walk with a cane, and this would be both entertaining and cheaper than a referendum. Deputy Speaker Whbee (Kadima) asked Ghilon not to say such things in front of children. Ghilon responded that the children would be a lot better educated if they witness a fight between Katzeleh and himself.

MK Barakeh (Hadash) asked how a prime minister can negotiate if he can’t guarantee a deal without a referendum. He said that only a single country recognizes Jerusalem and the Golan as part of Israel.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) said that although he is against a referendum he will vote for the bill. He blasted the MKs who are supporting Syrian President Assad by opposing the bill on the grounds that Israel should be allowed flexibility to withdraw from the Golan and thanked them for the motivation they gave him to support this bill.

MK Ganaim (R.T.) labeled the bill one for cowards. He accused Netanyahu of supporting this bill to ease the pressure he is receiving from President Obama. He called the bill undemocratic. He questioned why Israel didn’t need a referendum for the Sinai but they need one for the Golan.

MK Swaid (Hadash) questioned the context and the timing of the bill as well as the intentions of the MKs who are pushing it. He answered that the bill was an obstacle to peace. He blasted the Likud for supporting this bill in a corrupt bargain that would provide support for the upcoming settlement freeze.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) stated that this bill is undemocratic. He warned that the bill allows the people to substitute the Knesset. He noted that if the Knesset objects to a territorial withdrawal it will not go to a referendum. He called this bill a short-term solution to a long-term problem. He added that the bill could be defeated in the future by a simple majority of 2 votes to 1, so it is irrelevant. He concluded that Israel must withdraw to the 1967 borders and that Netanyahu himself will regret supporting this bill.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Edelstein stated that there was no agreement between Netanyahu and the Likud MKs concerning his support for this bill in return for their support for the freeze.

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) criticized the bill and called a referendum a dangerous precedent. He warned the ultra-orthodox that there will be referendums forcing them into the army and allowing public transportation on Shabbat. He warned that any person who would want to raise money to campaign during such a referendum is allowed tom and they don’t have to be an Israeli citizen. He blasted the Labor MKs who are planning on voting for this bill and told them they should be ashamed of themselves. He concluded by saying that citizens do not understand the situation as well as MKs and are therefore not educated enough to vote on these issues.

MK Zahalka said that this bill sends a clear message that the Likud does not want peace. He accused Netanyahu of ordering Shas to pressure him in order to relieve American pressure.

MK Eldad (N.U.) said that this bill comes from the public’s frustration of leaders who say something before the election and do something else after. He revealed that a good source told him that Livni called Mofaz her poodle. MK Shai (Kadima) criticized Eldad for revealing that story.

MK Khenin (Hadash) called today a dangerous, black, historic day. He stated that when Israel goes to war it does not ask for a referendum but now for peace they will. He wondered if the Ghajar village will be included in this bill and if we will have to exercise this very expensive bill to withdraw from the northern part of the village as the government decided last week.

MK Tibi (R.T.) called this Knesset the most extreme in Israel’s history. He blasted Labor for betraying their voters. He stated that Israel is headed in the wrong direction and this bill is another step in that direction.

MK Agbaria (Hadash) charged that MK Levin is passing this bill in order to get a better placing in the Likud primaries. He called the bill racist and said the nation has higher priorities for a national referendum than the proposed bill.

MK Zeev (Shas) called the bill an important one that is essential for Israel’s future. He noted that Israel annexing Jerusalem and the Golan did not derail peace talks and asked why a referendum would. He called Syria an enemy and added that this would prevent a one-sided disengagement. He recalled the wars in Gaza and Lebanon that followed such actions. He stated that sometimes democracy needs to protect itself. He called the Golan the heart and eyes of Israel’s strategic security. He predicted that if Israel leaves Judea and Samaria that Hamas will take control in the following months like they did in Gaza.

MK Shai (Kadima) said that the Knesset is neutering itself today, limiting its abilities and stature by giving the mandate back to the people. He joked that for the small things there is no reason to have a referendum, but for the big things we need to ask permission. He warned that a referendum can be manipulated to the point that its answer will be impossible for a government to implement and will endanger Israel as a stable legitimate democracy. He also questioned the need to take a sensitive subject like Syria and force it into the headlines during a time of quiet. He added that the Golan will not always be in Israel’s hands. He mocked the coalition, calling them a “bored Knesset”. He stated that the first thing Kadima will do when they overthrow the Likud government is repeal this bill.

MK Sheetrit said that every step the Likud takes that is not towards the peace process is distancing Israel from the peace process. He expressed his belief that if Kadima was in power there would have already been a peace deal with the Palestinians. He called for a land swap with the Palestinians that would trade land for the settlement blocks. He praised the Saudi initiative, which is signed by 25 Arab countries, and called on Israel to accept it. He revealed that he asked Prime Ministers Sharon, Olmert and Netanyahu to accept the initiative. He applauded President Obama’s Cairo speech calling for a regional peace. He called for a constitution that determines the final borders of the State of Israel and labeled the law irrelevant. He told Netanyahu to tell the truth and reveal that he does not want peace. He demanded there be a referendum if the Knesset does not approve a withdrawal, not if it approves one. He lashed out at the public and said they don’t have the tools or the information to make a decision. He concluded by commenting that the Knesset is actually working today for once, claiming that Tuesdays are irrelevant, Mondays are a waste of time and Wednesdays are predictable.

MK Zeev blasted Syria and Hamas, calling them killers. He noted how Hamas and Fatah fought side by side a few years ago and now are killing each other and how Syria is Iran’s best friend. He cynically asked if Israel should give up on Lod, Ramla and Acre now that they have an Arab majority. He moved on to the settlement freeze and said that Likud leads the coalition and Shas is a loyal partner who follows even if they don’t agree on everything. He revealed that an American embassy official told him that three months is just the beginning, and the freeze will be extended. He hoped that bills such as this would stop future freezes.

MK Dicter (Kadima) noted that for 62 years Israel lived without a referendum. He stated that all of Israel’s most fateful events would have failed a referendum and would have never happened. He predicted this law would bring apartheid when the Arab swing vote supports territorial withdrawal. He decided that a financial compensation for the people of Ghajar who are willing to move their houses is the best way to deal with that problem. He called the referendum bill a threat and said it was outsourcing Israel’s most important vote. He concluded by saying this bill has the potential to destroy Israel as we know it.

MK Ariel (N.U.) thanked MKs Levin and Elkin for helping advance the law, as well as residents of Jerusalem and the Golan. He expressed that this bill will bring unity to the nation. He blasted Netanyahu for lying about the length of the freeze, for lying about the freeze not including Jerusalem and for lying that America has made us promises that are not written anywhere.

MK Plesner (Kadima) warned the minorities of Israel that their days are numbered if this bill passes. He said that he especially doesn’t understand the ultra-orthodox MKs who support the bill. He warned that a country without a constitution and which makes decisions by referendums is not a democratic one. He warned that people will fight in the street over the referendum results. He charged that Netanyahu does not want this bill but is too afraid to oppose it and remains paralyzed. He warned that Las Vegas casinos will run a facebook campaign and decide the result of the referendum. He thought that there were responsible adults in the government that would stop this populist bill. He slammed the bill that he claimed would harm Israel’s legitimacy and gives our enemies ammunition. He accused Netanyahu of lying to Israel and telling them that there is a peace process when there isn’t. He noted that Labor’s leader Barak is against this bill. He attacked the rest of Labor for not saying anything and called them a bunch of old rags and prisoners who get released but decide they’d rather stay in jail. Deputy Speaker Tibi asked Plesner if he really thinks Labor are old rags. Plesner responded yes and added that Labor will disappear.

MK Oron asked how a bill that is supposed to unite the nation can be argued for six and a half hours if there is such a consensus. He warned that until the right realizes that he disagrees with the occupation as much as the right disagrees with withdrawing from the settlements there will be no real dialogue among Israelis. He asked that perhaps the Knesset needs 80 MKs to maintain the occupation of eastern Jerusalem and the Golan. He stated that this bill is not against him and Meretz, but it is against Netanyahu, who the right doesn’t believe. He informed that the bill says that if the national elections are within three months of the referendum, then both votes will take place on the same election day. He criticized the coalition, who was gathering 61 MKs for this bill, in order to prevent any appeal to the Supreme Court.

MK Levin thanked the MKs for debating the bill and said he appreciated those who opposed the bill and their opinion as well. Levin asked those opposing the bill if a decision determined by one MK’s vote that would destroying tens of thousands of homes was democratic. He asked if firing two ministers in order to pass the disengagement was democratic. He responded that before people’s lives are ruined for a Mitsubishi, it is a worthy thing to ask the public, just to make sure. He went on to slam those who have sabotaged the referendum bill since it was passed in 1999.

The Votes

Objections from the opposition MKs were defeated by the votes of: 30-61, 33-62, 33-62, 31-62 and 32-65. Most of the MKs removed their objections after it became clear they would be defeated.

MK Levin’s objections to the bill were accepted 83-10-1, 63-30, 63-31 and 63-31.

The bill’s paragraphs were passed in their second readings, including MK Levin’s four amendments and excluding the opposition’s amendments: 62-31, 63-30 and 63-32.

The bill passed its third reading 65-33.

Most of the coalition MKs voted for the bill. Out of the right-wing 61 MK coalition of the Likud-Y.B.-Shas-U.T.J. and J.H., MKs Danon (Likud) and Landver (Y.B.) were the only MKs not present for the vote.  MKs Gafni (U.T.J.) and Maklev (U.T.J.) voted against the bill. The 13 person Labor party was divided as follows: Ministers Simhon and Vilnai voted for the bill, five Labor ministers and deputy ministers did not vote and six Labor MKs voted against the bill. As for the opposition, everyone opposed the bill except the four National Union MKs, who voted for the bill, and half of Kadima. Kadima was split as follows: MKs Schneller and Aflalo supported the bill, 11 MKs purposely did not show up for the vote and 14 MKs voted against the bill. Kadima leader Livni had instructed her party to oppose the bill while MK Mofaz suggested that the Kadima MKs rebel and boycott the vote.

MK Levin thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for backing the bill. He also thanked Coalition Chairman MK Elkin, Bibi’s assistant Tzvika Hauser, Likud Faction Manager Aliza Barashi, his parliamentary assistants and others. He also thanked former MK Yehuda Harel from the long-defunct Third Way Party for passing the bill in 1999. Ex-MK Harel is a Golan resident and the former personal assistant of assassinated Prime Minister Rabin.

Wednesday’s session lasted about five and a half hours. Two bills were discussed, and both passed their preliminary reading. Attendance was light for a Wednesday, and the session was relatively short. There were a few motions and queries discussed as well.

Non-Bills Summary

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas), Infrastructure Minister Landau (Y.B.) and Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.

Seven motions were discussed on the hot topics of the day, and five of them were sent for further discussion in their relevant committees. They were passed by the votes of: 14-0, 9-0, 6-0, 7-0 and 6-0. Two motions were not voted on.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Supervision of Financial Services Bill

MK Cohen (Shas) explained that his amendment would enable consumers to collect a refund for cancellation of an insurance policy and also not pay a termination penalty. He stated that the law would apply to all types of insurance and that his bill would put an end to the insurance companies pocketing money for doing nothing.

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

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

Amendment to the Protecting the Public from Sex Offenders Bill

MK Levin (Likud) explained that his amendment would add the offense of obscene publications involving minors to the list of sex offences in Israel.

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) expressed government support for the bill.

MK Levy-Abekasis (Y.B.) expressed disgust that those arrested for publicizing obscene pictures or videos of minors have been receiving very light sentences because they are not included in the Sex Offenders Bill. She told a story of a man who took pictures of naked minors on a beach, spread them on the internet and only spent a few nights in jail.

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