Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Wednesday’s session lasted ten and a half hours.  Eleven bills were discussed, and six of them were advanced after passing their preliminary readings.  Two bills were defeated, two were withdrawn to avoid being defeated and another was turned into a motion. MK Regev shocked the Likud by voting and speaking against the government position and was punished severely. Another highlight of the day was the passing of a bill that will force all Israeli flags to be manufactured in Israel.

Non-Bills Summary

• Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud), Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) and Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) answered urgent queries to open the session.
• Speaker Rivlin gave a warm speech to greet the Vice President of Honduras.
• MK Whbee (Kadima) reported on the Knesset delegation to the fifth meeting of the Mediterranean Parliament.
• Prime Minister Netanyahu responded to a request from 40 MKs to rebut the opposition’s claim that the “world is against Israel – how Netanyahu’s government isolated Israel in the international arena”.
• Speaker Rivlin eulogized former minister Sarah Doron, who passed away this week.
• The Knesset approved two continuity clauses by votes of 38-0 and 22-0.
• Seven motions were discussed based on the hot news topics of the week.  Six of them were sent to committees by the following votes: 18-0, 12-3, 13-0, 7-0, 4-0 and 4-0. The last motion of the day was not voted on.
• Housing and Construction Minister Atias (Shas) and Deputy Defense Minister Vilnai (Labor) answered queries to close the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Securities Bill

MK Katz (Likud) explained that his amendment would remove void the obligations of a public company towards its controlling private owners if they don’t show up to board meetings.

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

The bill passed its preliminary reading 39-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Flag, Emblem and National Anthem Bill

MK Akonis (Likud) explained that his amendment would require all Israeli flags to be manufactured in Israel. He also slammed the Israeli companies that have been outsourcing flag manufacturing to China. He announced that he had government support for the bill.

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) objected to the amendment and warned that this could be a dangerous first step against the importing and outsourcing companies.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 46-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Elections Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained his amendment would allow radio stations to broadcast election advertisements for the regional council’s elections.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 35-1 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Land Bill

MK Orbach (J.H.) explained that his amendment would force buildings with only one elevator to turn that elevator into a Shabbat elevator.

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) explained that the government supports the bill, but only with major changes, such as it only taking effect in buildings where the majority of inhabitants or patrons are religious.

MK Schneller (Kadima) objected to the bill and said that the minority should not decide for the majority.

MK Orbach (J.H.) corrected MK Schneller and said that with the government’s changes, his concerns were addressed.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 45-0 with one MK abstaining, and it was sent to the House Committee to decide which committee should discuss the bill further.

Amendment to the Value Added Tax Bill

MK Ghilon (Meretz) explained his amendment would create a tax exemption on beverages, food products, pharmaceuticals and medical treatments. It would also reduce the tax rate on culture, newspapers and books, as well as the sale and installation of items that reduce energy consumption.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) expressed government opposition to the bill. Cohen stated that the government will not support any change to the VAT and will leave that matter to the Governor of Israeli Banks, Stanley Fisher.

MK Ghilon (Meretz) responded that rich people should pay higher taxes than poor people and that the capitalistic tendencies of the government are morally wrong. He remarked that money should be spent on medications instead of airplanes. Ghilon pointed to Prime Minister Netanyahu and said he would remove all of the items on his list and just keep the medications that are life-saving, and asked him to support the bill. Netanyahu refused.

The watered down version of the bill was defeated 23-48.

Public Housing in the Periphery Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) demanded that the government provide public housing for the elderly, single mothers and olim. She suggested that the Galil and the Negev are great places to build this public housing project. Solodkin charged that only the Yisrael B’Aliyah party (1996-2003) supported public housing as a party line, and she blamed everyone else for the current situation.

Building and Construction Minister Atias (Shas) agreed that no one supported public housing from 2003-2009. He explained that he disagreed with the bill because there are enough apartments in the Negev and Galil. He explained that over 500 apartments are empty in these areas and that in the center of the country there is a lack of buildings. He explained the best way to provide public housing is to advance a bill that will give 5% of all building projects to public housing.

MK Regev (Likud) blasted Atias and charged that he does not want to solve the public housing problem. She came out against the government position and welcomed any sanctions that will be placed on her. She said she was a proud co-sponsor of the bill.

The bill was defeated 29-42.

MK Regev was punished by the coalition and will not be allowed to propose any new bills indefinitely.

Motion/Amendment to the Local Authorities Bill

MK Naffaa (Balad) explained that his amendment would discipline mayors by splitting off some of their powers to other city hall officials. He explained that he simply took the State Comptroller’s words and turned them into a bill, so he was surprised the government opposes the bill. Naffaa suggested turning the bill into a motion.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) expressed government opposition to the bill but agreed to turn the bill into a motion and discuss the matter further in a committee.

The motion passed 36-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Divorced Parents on Kids Address Bill

MK Sheetrit explained that his amendment would force every school to have the addresses of both parents in their records and to distribute all of the information on the children to both parents evenly, regardless of who holds custody.

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 31-1 and was sent to the House Committee to decide which committee should discuss the bill further.

Amendment to the Inheritance Bill

MK Oron (Meretz) explained that his amendment would allow inheritance by adoption, as opposed to the current situation in which adopted children do not receive anything unless it is explicitly written in the will.

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch expressed government support for the bill.

MK Gafni (U.T.J.) objected to the bill and revealed that the great majority of the religious members of the coalition objected to the bill as well because it is against halacha (Jewish law). This statement launched a screaming match among everyone in the plenum that lasted several minutes. Speaker Rivlin suggested that religious discussions should not take place in the plenum.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 22-3, with one MK abstaining, and it was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Water Bill

MK Gafni explained his amendment would control the water rates and announced that all of the members of the Funds Committee are co-sponsors. He explained that citizens who need more water for their daily lives, such as disabled people, should not be fined for exceeding their water limit. Because he didn’t have government support he agreed to postpone the bill, in order to not see it defeated.

Amendment to the Marriage and Divorce Bill

MK Schneller (Kadima) explained that his amendment would allow “regional registration” for all couples who wish to get married. This would allow couples to get married through any local marriage licensing rabbinate and would not limit them, as they are today, to only the city or cities in which they live. Schneller said that under this bill there will be a central online computer database that rabbis in all cities would be able to access and update. He attacked the ultra-orthodox parties for opposing the bill and revealed that the two official state rabbis of Israel, ashkenazi and sefardi, both support this bill. He mentioned that the government had supported the bill and that it passed the government ministerial committee for legislative affairs. He complained that suddenly the government changed their mind because of MK Gafni. MK Gafni told MK Schneller he would not change his mind and argued with him for ten minutes.

MK Schneller withdrew his bill in order to prevent it from being defeated.

Tuesday’s session lasted about four hours, and four bills were discussed. Attendance was light as it usually is on Tuesdays. This upset Transportation Minister Katz, who had shown up for International Road Safety Day.  One of the four bills was passed in its third reading, the other three passed in their first readings. The highlight of the day was the ‘Prohibition of Repairing Vehicles in an Unauthorized Garage’ Bill.

Non-Bills Summary

• 23 MKs participated in the one-minute speech segment that opened the day. The main topic of the day was college students versus the ultra-orthodox.
• Two motions on the Soviet “refuseniks” and International Road Safety Day were discussed but not voted on.
• Labor and Welfare Minister Herzog had a query hour and answered queries from 10 MKs.
• House Chairman MK Levin announced which committee would discuss a bill that had been in dispute.

Bills Summary

Prohibition of Repairing Vehicles in an Unauthorized Garage Bill

MK Michaeli (Shas) explained that his original bill, co-sponsored by MK Cabel (Labor), would stop people from not paying taxes on the repair of their cars and would also solve many safety concerns. He explained the amendment would create a sentence of 18 months in jail for the owner of an unauthorized garage. He said that this bill was in the spirit of International Road Safety Day.

Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) praised the few MKs that showed up for International Road Safety Day and criticized the majority of the house who were absent. He asked that the public judge the MKs who were not present. He also expressed government support for the bill. He noted that at least 14 children have been killed by cars that had bad repairs in unauthorized garages.

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

Amendment to the Energy Sources Bill

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained that the goal of the amendment is the protection of the environment.  He warned that each year the country’s energy needs increase, and his amendment would promote the intelligent use of natural resources and increase energy efficiency. Khenin explained that we have to stop wasting energy and said that we must turn off our lights and air conditioning while we are sleeping.

MK Zeev (Shas) expressed his support for this bill and announced he was against expanding the number of power plants in Israel. He also warned Israelis against global warning.

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

Amendment to the Foundations of the Budget Bill

MK Vaknin (Shas) explained that his amendment would provide an exemption of the government lease fee to communities on the confrontation lines. He explained that people who live or work on the borders of Lebanon, Syria or Gaza will no longer have to pay the Israeli government a leasing fee.

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

Amendment to the Reporting on the activity of the rehabilitation and commemoration of disabled families of the Defense Department

MK Matalon (Y.B.) explained that his amendment would force the Defense Minister to give a report each year on how the defense establishment has distributed money towards rehabilitating and commemorating those who are disabled as a result of serving their country.

The bill passed it second reading 9-0 and passed its third reading 8-0.

Monday’s session lasted a little over four hours, and the opposition spent about two and a half of those hours unsuccessfully trying to bring down the government. The Knesset spent the rest of the day discussing seven bills, passing three in their third readings and four in their first readings. Most of the bills passed were ones that had been pulled out of the Arrangements Bill. The highlights were a public transportation smartcard bill and a bill that would prevent the army from firing women who are pregnant or on maternity leave.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no confidence motion titled “Netanyahu’s budget promotes anti-socialism and lays the groundwork for greasing the coalition partners at the expense of students, the public sector workers and young couples” was defeated by a 30-63 vote, with 27 MKs not present.
• The three Israeli Arab parties’ no confidence motion titled “Racist legislation and its impact on democracy and the relationship between Arabs and Jews” was defeated by a 10-65 vote, with 15 abstaining and 30 MKs not present.
• Speaker Rivlin called for a minute of silence in honor of former Labor Minister Katz (Minister from 1977 to 1982) and eulogized the man who passed away on Saturday.
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) announced that MK Orlev (J.H.) will replace MK Orbach (J.H.) in the Childs Rights Committee.
• The government transferred authority of all issues regarding forests from Agriculture Minister Simhon (Labor) to Labor and Welfare Minister Herzog (Labor) by a Knesset vote of 11-0.
• The Justice Committee exercised the continuity clause on a previous bill by a 9-0 vote.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni (U.T.J.) explained that this bill was originally part of the Arrangements Bill and had been taken out and discussed in the committee. The amendment places a three month time limit on employers who are submitting 126 and 856 forms, instead of the current four month time limit, beginning in 2013. MK Gafni explained that as part of the Arrangements Bill this amendment was three sentences long, and after the committee discussion it is three and a half pages long. He noted that because of the committee discussion and compromises reached the opposition supports the bill. Speaker Rivlin thanked MK Gafni for taking this bill out of the Arrangements Bill and noted that this way the bill would take effect sooner.

The bill passed its second reading 49-0 and passed its third reading 48-0.

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) explained that this amendment was also part of the Arrangements Bill and instead was discussed in the committee. MK Katz explained that the amendment demands that any citizen who is receiving a government payment must inform the government of any change that would no longer entitle them to government payments within thirty days. The amendment would assess a 40,000 NIS fine to those who fake information in order to receive government payments, and repeated offenders would be assessed an 80,000 NIS fine. He explained that the committee decided that notices and warnings must be sent to the citizen before he is charged with a crime that would result in a fine. The committee also decided that this bill will not include citizens who have mental disabilities or the elderly. The committee also allowed an extension from thirty to sixty days for most cases. MK Katz thanked Minister Herzog for helping with this bill. Speaker Rivlin thanked MK Katz for successfully taking this bill out of the Arrangements Bill.

MK Ghilon (Meretz) congratulated the National Insurance executives, who are mostly female. He explained that he objects that there would be no difference between people who accidentally filled out the form incorrectly and those who do so purposely. He explained he also objects to the idea that repeated offenders might be placed in prison for this violation. Ghilon also charged that more people are ripped off by the national insurance than rip the national insurance off. In response to the MKs who were ignoring his speech, he exposed that he was also on Ritalin as a kid, so he understands. He noted a case of a blind female solider that lost her government payments because the national insurance says she can work now. He concluded that he was saddened that most people who are eligible are oblivious to that fact.

MK Ilatov (Y.B.) explained that he and MK Levy-Abekasis (Y.B.) object to the idea that people who violate this law should be sent to jail.

MK Zeev (Shas) also objected to the idea that offenders of this law should be sent to jail.

The bill’s paragraphs passed their second readings 38-1, 38-1, 39-1, 37-1, 34-1 and 32-1, after accepting MK Ilatov’s objections 39-0, 41-0, 39-0, 38-0 and 36-0, while rejecting MK Ghilon’s objections 2-37, 6-35 and 4-30.

The bill passed its third reading 32-1.

Career Service in the Army – the Israel Defense Forces Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained that his original bill, co-sponsored by MK Regev (Likud), would prevent the army from firing female soldiers who are pregnant or on maternity leave. It was revealed by the General of Human Resources that 50% of women who were fired from the army were done so due to pregnancy or maternity leave.

MK Regev (Likud) thanked Chairman Katz and expressed frustration that it took a full year to pass this bill. She attacked the I.D.F., who objected to the bill, and praised Defense Minister Barak (Labor) for overruling them.

The bill passed its second reading 15-0 and its third reading 15-0.

Amendment to the ‘Increased Enforcement in the Capital Market’ Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) explained that the amendment would give inspectors the authority to seize private documents and arrest non-licensed workers.

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

Amendment to the ‘Maintaining Public Safety and Streamlining the Enforcement’ Bill

Minister Begin (Likud) explained his amendment would create a forfeiture authority inspection. It would also provide greater authority to employees of the police department who are not policemen, such as traffic inspectors.

The bill passed its first reading 14-0 and it was sent to the House Committee to decide which Knesset committee would discuss it.

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) explained that this bill was taken out of the Arrangements Bill. He explained that the amendment would allow passengers of public transportation to have a smart card that would apply for all the different companies. He explained this would allow someone to take a train to a bus to a light rail, all on the same smart card.

The bill passed its first reading 13-0 and was sent to the House Committee to decide which Knesset committee would discuss it.

Amendment to the Execution Bill

Minister Begin explained that his amendment would delay certain aspects of the Execution Bill from being carried out for another six months.

MK Rotem (Y.B.) noted that he had a bad feeling about this bill and something didn’t smell right.

The bill passed its first reading 10-0, and Deputy Speaker Majadele (Labor) added MK Rotem’s vote (even though he did not vote) to make it 11-0. The bill was sent to the Justice Committee.

Wednesday’s session lasted about six and a half hours. Eight bills were discussed.  The Knesset advanced four of them and defeated the others. The bills that were advanced included a consumer protection bill, a crime fighting bill, a health insurance for returning citizens bill and a promoting minors’ rights bill. Most of the day was spent on queries and motions. Deputy Defense Minister Vilnai made headlines when he announced during a query that if he was the general in charge he would have kicked out of the army the religious officers who walked out of a women’s performance for religious reasoning of not wanting to hear “kol ishah” (a woman’s voice) instead of sending them to jail.

Non-Bills Summary

• Urgent queries were answered at the beginning of the session by Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.), Deputy Defense Minister Vilnai (Labor) and Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.).
• 7 motions were discussed towards the end of the session. As usual the MKs chose topics that have been in the news recently.  Four of the seven motions were passed unanimously and were sent to their relevant committees. The votes indicate how many MKs stayed for the motion portion of the day’s agenda and how they gradually decided to leave for the day: 21-0, 12-0, 12-0 and 7-0. The other three motions were not brought up to a vote after the MKs that proposed them were pleased with the government’s rebuttal.
• Deputy Health Minister Litzman and Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon (Y.B.) answered queries at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Communications Law

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) explained that his amendment would forbid commercial companies from using an automatic dialing system that calls a person, hangs up, and forces the person to call the number back, forcing the person to pay unknowingly high rates for the call. Maklev said that he viewed this as a consumer protection law.

Communications Minister Kahlon (Likud) expressed government support for the bill. He explained that while this violation was already outlawed as part of the “Spam Bill”, some companies have found loopholes, and this bill will eliminate them.

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

Restricting Religious Activities in the Army – The Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Police Bill

MK Horowitz (Meretz) explained that his original bill would stop Jewish “missionizing” on army bases and police stations. He said that only licensed army and police rabbis should be allowed on army bases. He called for a complete separation of synagogue and state. He attacked the ultra-orthodox and praised the reform Jews. MK Gafni (U.T.J.) heckled that he was more of a Zionist than Horowitz was. Horowitz fired back that the secular majority of the country support this bill. He blasted the Chabad, Breslov Chasidim and other religious groups who carry out illegal religious practices such as the lighting of Hanukah candles, building of Sukkot, and handing out of doughnuts and mishloach manot. Speaker Rivlin interrupted and asked Horowitz to explain his problem with doughnuts. Horowitz responded that these “religious freaks” enter army bases without permission. Speaker Rivlin asked Deputy Defense Minister Vilnai (Labor) if this is true. Vilnai laughed and said that no one enters army bases without permission. Horowitz called the government killers of liberalism and stepped down.

Religious Affairs Minister Margi (Shas) attacked MK Horowitz, who claims to be a person of tolerance and then proposes a bill that is intolerant of religion and religious people. He asked why the Education Corps can bring into army bases lecturers, singers, standup comedians and authors who are not soldiers to preach culture and liberalism, while the Religious Corps can’t bring in people to build a Sukkah or hand out a doughnut. He slammed the Meretz party for claiming to be a universal party that cares for everybody, when all they do is attack the ultra-orthodox and spread “sinat chinam”. Speaker Rivlin added that this bill was racist against the religious because it would not restrict the non-religious people who visit army bases but only the religious people.

MK Horowitz challenged that all of the Education Corps guests that are invited have permission and that Chabad does not have permission. He called religious people damaging to the army. He added that the army should stop sending soldiers to religious institutions for Shabbat. He blasted the government for sending the religious affairs minister instead of the defense minister. Speaker Rivlin uncharacteristically expressed he would fight this bill as illegal on terms of racism if the bill passed.

The bill was defeated 10-54.

Periphery Public Housing bill

MK Tiviaev (Kadima) explained that his original bill would create public housing in the Negev and the Galil. He said that he was sent to the Negev city of Ofakim when he got off the plane from Russia and has been a proud Ofakim resident ever since. He told the story of his neighbor, Yisrael, who asked for public housing and was denied because the government is only giving public housing to people who currently live in the center of the country. He explained that his bill would allow every city in the Galil and Negev to allocate 25% of their public housing to their own city’s residents. Tiviaev complained that for 20 years the country has not built any public housing. He said that he tried to increase that the number, and after realizing that is not possible, wants to at least help the residents in the periphery out of their poverty. He agreed with one of the MKs who mocked him for living in Ofakim and asked the government to change it. He painted the sad picture of Ofakim, that offers no new houses or jobs, and how people are leaving the city for the center of the country. He pledged that this bill is not a budget bill but, rather, a community bill.

Immigration and Absorption Minister Landver (Y.B.) explained that she agreed with MK Tiviaev but that the government opposes the bill. She expressed hope that a committee discussing the public housing issue can offer a solution to this issue. She exposed that 12,000 people this year have submitted requests for 500 public housing vacancies.

MK Tiviaev responded that he finds it very interesting that the minister agrees with the bill and is voting against it. He charged that the government was turning the Negev and Galil into the trash bin of the country and said that those who oppose the bill are the guiltiest.

The bill was defeated 25-49.

Amendment to the National Road Safety Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained his amendment would fix road safety deficiencies by allocating 25% of the payments for traffic violations to the Road Safety Authority. Sheetrit recalled that he started the authority when he was transportation minister over a decade ago. He exposed that Israel has the highest number of pedestrian road fatalities in the world at 30%. He guessed that people would be more willing to pay the fine if they knew that part of the money would go to prevention of traffic accidents. He remarked that Florida has this law, and it is very popular there.

Minorities Relations Minister Braverman (Labor) agreed that road safety should be improved but expressed government opposition to the bill. Braverman said that increasing funding to the police will be the easiest way to improve road safety and prevent accidents. He concluded by stating there is no reason to link one department’s funding to another, and it is important to keep everything on a simpler, national level.

MK Sheetrit responded that he was in shock from the nonsense he heard from the government.

The bill was defeated 25-52.

Local Authorities Highway Maintenance Bill

MK Bielski (Kadima) explained that his original bill would force the government to take responsibility for maintaining the roads which they paved 30 years ago and for which they then transferred the maintenance responsibility to the local authorities. Bielksi wondered if maybe it would have been better to lobby the bill. Speaker Rivlin opposed the bill and warned that it would cost the country billions of NIS each year. Bielski charged that coalition member and Tourism Minister Misezhnikov (Y.B.) was the person who first thought of the bill.

Minorities Relations Minister Braverman expressed government opposition to the bill and explained that most of the blame for that comes from the Israeli government system. He supported a presidential system, similar to America, and said until that point he would have to vote against the bill.

MK Bielski responded that he was disappointed with the government.

The bill was defeated 21-48.

Amendment to the Local Authorities Bill

MK Ezra (Kadima) explained that his amendment would eradicate violence in Israel. He explained that 80 of the over 200 city councils have been part of the “City without violence” program that MK Ezra enacted when he was Homeland Security Minister. He explained that he simply wanted to extend his program from 80 to all of the city councils.

Religious Affairs Minister Margi expressed government support for the bill.

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

Amendment to the National Health Insurance Law

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) explained that his amendment would, in certain cases, offer exceptions to shorten the waiting period to be entitled to national health insurance. He thanked Deputy Speaker Shama (Likud) for co-sponsoring the bill with him. Hasson explained that, currently, returning citizens who have been gone for a decade are not entitled to national health insurance for six months. He explained that this bill will give these people immediate national health insurance and will help promote the return of citizens living abroad.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman expressed his support and government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 24-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

MK Levy-Abekasis (Y.B.) explained that her amendment would force the government to award payments of compensation to minors who are injured while victims of a criminal offense. She noted that this bill met the most resistance of all the bills she has proposed.

None of the ministers were in the room. Deputy Speaker Shama decided that since Minister Begin (Likud), who was supposed to be there to answer for the government, was not there he would bring the matter to a vote.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 14-0 with one abstaining and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Tuesday’s session was about two hours. The only bill discussed was one that would give widowers more money from the “kitzbaot” (government payments) than they were entitled to before. The bill falls short of entitling widowers to as much money as widows receive. This led to seven male MKs from various parties complaining that men do not receive equal rights to those given to women. All of the MKs present agreed that they would support more male rights bills in the future. No ministers or female MKs were in attendance.

Non-Bills Summary:

• Only 16 MKs participated in the weekly ‘One Minute Speech’ segment. The main topic was the budget passed the previous night after 1 AM.
• The only motion of the day was one marking the 60^th anniversary of the ‘Development Towns’ project, known as the “Pituach” cities in Hebrew. Speaker Rivlin started the discussion on the motion, six MKs followed him and Deputy Galil and Negev Minister Kara (Likud) summarized the discussion. There was no vote on the motion.

Bill Summary:

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman MK Katz (Likud) explained his amendment would increase the government payment to a widower to 6,000 NIS. He explained that the current law only entitles a widower to minimum wage, as opposed to the 8,500 NIS per month that widows receive. He hoped that in the future he could propose a bill that would bring true equality.

MK Molla (Kadima) complained that women get more money than men and called for true equality by giving the widowers 8,500 NIS instead of just 6,000 NIS.

MK Majadele (Labor) praised MK Katz on what he called one of the most important bills that he has ever seen. He stressed that this bill should have been passed long ago. He also thanked the co-sponsor of the bill MK Azoulay (Shas).

MK Zeev (Shas) said that this is among the great bills that are being passed in today’s age. He also praised the two-year budget that passed its first reading on Monday.

MK Plesner (Kadima) would not begin his speech because there was no minister in the room. When Deputy Speaker Danon (Likud) assured him that Communications Minister Erdan (Likud) was around, Plesner remarked that there was no minister in the room, unless Erdan had changed his identity. Plesner challenged MK Katz, who he said possessed parliamentary talents for convincing the treasury to support this bill, to press other social issues and include them to improve the proposed two-year budget.

MK Khenin (Hadash) celebrated the passing of the bill by complementing everyone involved with the bill. He called on MK Katz to pass more laws that will give equal rights to men. He added that this bill must be brought back to the plenum as soon as possible in order to pass it in its second and third readings. He criticized the government for not proposing the bill themselves.

MK Rotem (Y.B.) blessed MK Katz, MK Azoulay and the government. He blasted MK Khenin for attacking the government, noting that the bill is co-sponsored by two coalition MKs.

The bill passed its first reading 11-0 and was sent back to the Labor, Welfare and Health Committee.

It should be noted that there was no minister in the plenum during the entire discussion of the bill.