Jeremy's Knesset Insider

I want to thank my loyal readers who have supported me through the growing process of my blog’s first three weeks. I feel that the work I am doing is very important for several reasons. The biggest of which is that there is no other person who takes the 16 hours per week to update the public on what is happening and who in Knesset is saying what. I don’t blame anyone because, as I am learning, it is a very hard job, a job I find even harder since I am doing it alone. Another reason is that there are some very good bills that are either being advanced or rejected, and it is important the public learn about them. The more I watch, the more I question the media in their selection of what is news, and what is not important. For instance, yesterday the media decided that it was more interesting to take one line out of context from the Yisrael Betaynu Homeland Security Minister, instead of reporting on the Likud MK who gave a very anti-Obama speech in English. True, not everything is interesting, and someone needs to make the call on what is reported, and what is not. I feel very proud that my blog gives all the information, and that the reader can decide for himself what is more important. In the future, I would like to start writing opinion pieces, I just need to find more time…

Once again, thank you loyal readers, the blog is as much yours, as it is mine.

I updated the about page and added some of my links.

Herzl, America,  Libya and the N.I.F. were the main subjects discussed in the Knesset’s first week back. There was only one non-confidence vote, 4 shailtot and 4 bills voted upon.  The one bill I personally agreed with the “Nazi war veteran’s bill” was defeated. Of the 15 hours of speeches this week, Tibi’s remains the most memorable.

In response to some of my readers, I will have opinion posts, but they will be separate from my daily Knesset updates. This blog is new and I look forward to going through the growing pains with those who find what happens in the Knesset important.

While Ehud Barak is doing relatively well these days, the rest of the “Labor Party” are all searching for their next jobs.

Three former ministers and confidants of party leader Barak have opted to leave the knesset since the 2009 elections. Ofir Paz-Pinas, Minister of Internal Affairs in Sharon’s government and Minister of Science, Culture and Sport in Ehud Olmert’s government resigned in January. Yuli Tamir, Minister of Education in Ehud Barak’s government, and Minister of Immigrant Absorption in Ehud Olmert’s govenment announced in Febuary that she will resign after Passover. Now Shalom Simchon, current Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development under Bibi, and former Minister of the environment, plans to step down from both his comfy cabinet post and the Knesset. The first two  have new comfy jobs in academia,  Paz-Pines in  Hertzalyia’s I.D.C. and Tamir in Shankar. Simchon would accept the chairmanship of K.K.L. upon his resignation.

In 1992 Yitzack Rabin brought the Labor Party 44 seats. Less than two decades later Labor has 13, under current Defense Minister and former Prime-Minister Barak. Ynet’s last poll in Febuary (one year after elections) had the party’s current strength at 8 seats, while left-leaning Ha’ertz gave Labor just 6 in their November poll. The party that once ruled the country’s first 30 years, watches as their former leaders abandon ship.

The future might not be that bright, but neither is the present. Labor “rebels” Amir Peretz and Eitan Cabel are making life difficult for Barak, and want to break-away when they have a chance.  Others are setting themselves up as well. One labor MK has been very close with a certain Likud minister these days, and a Labor Minister  has been surprising  close with a member of the oppositions right flank.

I would predict the next Labor MK to resign, but the more interesting fact is that when elections roll around again, the ship might be half-empty.

From my old blog. I’ve come a long way since. Posting here as the first post.

“Hey, I’m Jeremy, here’s a little bit about me and why I’ve created this blog.

I am currently seeking a position as a Knesset parliamentary assistant.

I am currently taking a 4 month specialized Bar-Ilan University course on the subject.

I will be watching Channel 99 and blogging on what goes on each day of Knesset.”