Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Wednesday’s session lasted about eight hours. Ten bills were discussed, and four of those bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings. Three bills were pulled and two were turned into motions to avoid defeat, while one bill was defeated. The four bills advanced will send a person to jail if he declaws his pet, label youth group counselors as preferred jobs for former soldiers, give a full reimbursement to mothers who take a non-Magen David Adom ambulance trip to give birth at a hospital and create a special prohibition for whistleblowers who are not spies, like Anat Kam.

Non-Bills Summary

• Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) and Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.
• Ten motions were discussed on the hot topics of the day. A motion on the need to establish a parliamentary commission of inquiry following the police shootings in the Gilad Farm was defeated 3-29, and a motion on a proposed agreement to legalize illegal Bedouin Arab settlements was defeated 3-7.  Five motions were passed and sent for further discussion in various committees by the votes 15-0, 10-2, 7-3, 7-2 and 6-0. Two motions were not brought up for a vote.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) explained that his amendment will allow non-Magen David Adom ambulances to act as a transport service provider for women who are giving birth free of charge. He stated that under the bill there would be a 100% reimbursement, which will match the current law that applies to Magen David Adom ambulances.

Minister Eitan (Likud) expressed government support for the bill. At the end of his speech he said the government doesn’t support the bill. He admitted he was confused by the paper he was reading off of and asked to confer with the Justice Minister. After a minute he returned to the podium and expressed government support.

MK El-Sana (R.T.) praised the teachers in the gallery who were watching the session.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 43-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss it further.

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

MK Schneller (Kadima) explained his amendment would create a new prohibition on the use and delivery of confidential information. He stated that currently under the law the prohibition of the use and delivery of confidential information is only when being delivered to an enemy. He pointed out that this amendment will enable a situation where someone like Anat Kam will not be charged with the delivery of confidential information for the enemy but will be charged with the delivery of confidential information. He said that Anat Kam is a criminal, but not a spy, and she deserves to be charged and punished by a different law.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 36-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss it further.

Amendment to the Antitrust Bill/Motion

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained that her amendment would require setting a minimum price for all newspapers that have a high circulation. She slammed Yisrael Hayom as a pro-Netanyahu newspaper that helped him capture the premiership and is currently helping him maintain that position. She noted this is her third bill aimed at prohibiting the circulation of the paper. She blasted the paper’s owner, who isn’t an Israeli citizen and is meddling in Israeli internal opinion. She warned that Israel is on its way towards a banana republic. She warned that if Israel wishes to be a democratic society they must say no to the paper that is becoming a monopoly of press.

Industry and Trade Minister Simhon (Independence) expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that it sees no reason to intervene in the private press. He suggested turning the bill into a motion to discuss which safeguards should be added, while maintaining the freedom of the press, speech and expression. MK Solodkin agreed.

Speaker Rivlin said it is dangerous for the Knesset to outlaw a newspaper or other media outlets and announced he would vote against the motion, despite government support.

The motion passed its preliminary reading 28-2 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss it further.

Amendment to the Planning and Construction Bill

MK Bielski (Kadima) explained that his amendment would change zoning to promote housing that will be affordable for young people. He stated that every city has land that it wants to release to the public to purchase but they can’t because the zoning isn’t residential. He said this bill will fix that and change their zoning to residential. He noted this would free up land within built-up neighborhoods without the need to build new schools or parks. He called his bill a supertanker. He wondered if the ministerial committee of legislative affairs works for the Mossad, because he can never find out who voted what.

Speaker Rivlin asked Bielski to pull his bill and not vote on it and he will talk to the ministers about his logical bill. Bielski and Coalition Chairman Elkin (Likud) agreed.

Amendment to the New Shekel Currency Bill

MK Whbee explained his amendment would force all prices to be rounded to an amount that is no less than 10 agurot. He blasted the current situation that rounds the agurot up or down, because people end up losing money over prices that don’t exist. He noted that the agurot were cancelled, but they still take the agura from you when they charge you 9.99.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that the agurot are there digitally, and only when a person pays in cash does he not receive his agurot. He added that the current system of rounding up or down for those who pay in cash is fair.

The bill was defeated 26-40.

Amendment to the Annual Leave Bill/Motion

MK Sarsur (R.T.) explained his amendment would allow the receipt of free leave from work for Arabs who choose to observe the Haj and Omar pilgrimages. He noted that these pilgrimages are a once in a lifetime deal so there is no reason to oppose it.

Industry and Trade Minister Simhon opposed the bill on the grounds that currently people can take vacation days for that purpose. He suggested turning the bill into a motion to discuss potential cases where an employee would not have enough vacation days.

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

Two Amendments to the Arrangements Bill

MK Eldad (N.U.) explained that his amendment would grant a reduction in municipal taxes for a disabled person who lives with his parents. He called the current situation absurd that disabled people who can’t live on their own and are living with their parents are not entitled to a reduction in municipal taxes while those who live alone do receive a reduction.

MK Oron (Meretz) explained his similar bill is important and must be passed. He called the current situation unacceptable. He noted that the parents receive a reduction in municipal taxes for their disabled child until he is 18 but are being asked to give up either him or the discount when he turns 18. He announced that this would be his last bill and he would retire at the end of the week.

Both bills were pulled and will be voted on at a different time.

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

MK Ezra (Kadima) explained his amendment would recognize work as a youth group counselor after one’s army service as a preferred job. He noted the counselors would receive tax reductions and benefits and receive incentive packages from the government. He blasted the current preferred job program of gas station clerks and hotel workers.

Minister Eitan expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 35-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss it further.

Amendment to the Protection of Animal Welfare Bill

MK Cabel (Labor) explained his amendment would place a prohibition on removing animals’ nails for all reasons other than health needs. He blasted those who declaw for domestic purposes, particularly cats. He stated that those who can’t deal with animals in their true nature should not have them as pets. He stressed that animals have feelings and it is wrong to declaw them, because it hurts them and they can’t protect themselves afterwards, if needed.

MK Zeev (Shas) blasted the bill on the grounds that it will take away from the veterinarians a significant part of their salary. He stressed if the animal is asleep it won’t hurt it. He slammed Cabel for asking for a three-year jail sentence for those who violate the bill. He asked Cabel if he lost his head.

Agriculture Minister Noked (Independence) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 19-0 with MK Zeev abstaining and was sent to the Health Committee.

Tuesday’s session lasted about three hours. Three bills were discussed. Two bills were advanced after passing their first readings and one became law after passing its third reading. The new law updates the religious Druze courts to match the Jewish courts. One of the advanced bills will allow tax deductions for selected social, culture and welfare programs. The other advanced bill will allow the extension of visas for foreign workers who work as nurses in certain cases.

Non-Bills Summary

• 16 MKs took part in the one-minute speech segment of the day. The main topic was the massacre in Itamar.
• A motion on National Science Day was discussed by Speaker Rivlin, Science Minister Hershkowitz (J.H.) and five other MKs. The motion wasn’t voted on.
• A motion on the BBC poll that found Israel is the most hated country in the world was discussed by three MKs and Hasbara Minister Edelstein (Likud).
• House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced that MK Mofaz would fill a vacancy on a Justice sub-committee.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Religious Druze Court Bill

Law, Constitution and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained the amendment would update the Druze Courts Bill to match various portions of the Jewish Courts Bill. He noted that there haven’t been many changes to the bill over the last 40 years and this bill will help the courts operate more efficiently.

The bill passed its second reading 9-0.

The bill passed its third reading 9-0.

MK Amar (Y.B.) thanked the government for supporting the bill and for giving the Druze Bill its first facelift since 1962. He thanked the other Druze MKs Whbee (Kadima), Naffaa (Balad) and Deputy Minister Kara (Likud) for co-sponsoring the bill with him.

Amendment to the Wage Protection Bill

MK Yacimovich (Labor) explained that the amendment would allow tax deductions for those who donate to selected social, culture and welfare programs.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) supported the bill. He went on to talk about the anniversary of Joseph Trumpeldor’s death and the Tel Chai massacre of eight Jews by the hands of Arabs in 1920. He stated we pay a heavy price for settling our land. He concluded by quoting Trumpeldor, “No matter, it is good to die for our country”.

The bill passed its first reading 9-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Entry into Israel Bill

Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Azoulay (Shas) explained that the amendment would allow a foreign worker who works in nursing to receive a visa extension if the patient being cared for is near death. He hoped this would put the patients at ease and add extra time to their lives by having a good quality nurse for the remainder of their life. He added that a committee will be in charge of choosing which case is worthy and which is not.

MK Ben Ari suggested that by helping the elderly patients he is harming the country by extending the foreigners’ visas. He warned the longer a foreigner stays in Israel, the longer the country is in danger of having them get married and staying here permanently. He announced that he would oppose the bill.

The bill passed its first reading 6-1 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Monday’s session lasted about three hours and forty minutes. Eight bills were discussed. Six bills became law after passing their third readings and two were advanced after passing their first readings. The highlight bills of the day were a new law that will remove all unnecessary minefields and a new law that eases the judges’ workload by 25% at the expense of reducing defendants’ rights. The latter is one of only two government bills during this entire term to be defeated at one point. In both cases the government eventually managed to pull a majority together to advance them and eventually pass them at a later date.

Non-Bills Summary

• 15 MKs discussed an urgent motion on the Itamar Massacre. The motion to discuss the matter further in the plenum so other MKs would have a chance to talk was passed 16-0.
• The Knesset approved the transfer of certain powers from Agriculture Minister Noked (Independence) to Industry and Trade Minister Simhon (Independence) by a vote of 16-0.
• The Knesset approved the Finance Committee’s request to split a bill into two bills by a vote of 12-0.
• House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced which disputed bills will be discussed in which committees.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Criminal Procedure Bill

Law, Constitution and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained that his amendment would extend the enforcement powers of the police to keep a prisoner under arrest for up to 90 days without seeing a judge, after he saw a judge in his first 96 hours. He added that the bill would also prohibit the second appeal to sentencing, which prisoners are currently allowed by law. He concluded by explaining this bill will reduce the judges’ workload by up to 25%.

MK Khenin (Hadash) expressed his five objections to the bill. He said we all want to reduce the judges’ workload, but this bill reduces the rights of every citizen. He asked how a democratic country can keep a prisoner in jail for 90 days without seeing a judge, after he has been charged, but before he has a chance to be proven innocent. He blasted the clause that takes away the democratic right to a second appeal. He stated this bill does the opposite of protecting the defendant as innocent until proven guilty. He blasted the clause where a person can be found guilty and not be sentenced for up to nine months. He attacked the bill as a violation of the basic right of freedom by removing several key meetings of a trial and extending the time a defendant waits for his trial to finish.

The bill’s paragraphs passed their second readings 38-3, 37-3 and 36-3.

MK Khenin’s objections were defeated 2-34, 3-36 and 3-32. He agreed to withdraw his last two objections after it became clear they would also be defeated.

The bill passed its third reading 36-3.

Amendment to the Disengagement Plan Implementation Bill

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni (U.T.J.) explained that the bill would add those who rented in Gush Katif for over two years before being evicted from their home to become part of the compensation plan and receive assistance towards housing. He stressed that this bill is important because these people are still living in caravans and have gone through trauma from years of neglect. Gafni said he agreed with Oron’s objection but the government doesn’t have the money for it, so he asks the coalition to oppose it.

MK Oron (Meretz) explained that his objection would add a clause to the bill that enables the financial compensation of 41 people who owned factories or buildings in the Erez Crossing and were forced to evacuate them by the order of former Prime Minister Olmert a few years after the disengagement. He complained it isn’t fair that these people evacuated without causing problems, had their lives torn apart, and now have nothing to show for it because they didn’t live there, they only worked there.

The bill passed its paragraphs in the second reading 38-0-1 and 37-0-1.

MK Oron’s objection was defeated 4-28.

The bill passed its third reading 38-0-1.

Evacuation of Minefields Bill

MK Bar-On (Kadima) reported that former MK Hanegbi (Kadima) and his 72 co-sponsors signed the bill after meeting a child who lost his leg on a field trip in the Golan last year. Bar-On stated that the bill creates a committee that would be charged with removing all unnecessary mines. He stressed that the land will be able to be used for national parks and reserves or other public purposes. He thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for supporting the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 43-0.

The bill passed its third reading 43-0.

Expanding the Fair Representation of Women Bill

MK Itzik (Kadima) explained that the amendment would demand that every government committee have at least one female member.

MK Ben-Ari (N.U.) blasted the Arab MKs who called Palestinian terrorists “freedom fighters”. He slammed the Arab MKs who called for the release of terrorists. He attacked the government for not building the 400 approved housing units in Itamar.

MK Zeev (Shas) opposed the bill on the grounds that it will complicate the committee selection process. He asked what would happen if there are no qualified women who can be appointed to the committee and whether that would that prevent the committee from being founded. He noted that we had a female Prime Minister Meir, a current female opposition leader and several female candidates for the President, such as former Speaker Itzik. He concluded by saying that the bill discriminates against men.

MK Wilf (Independence) said she supported the bill. She hoped this bill would give a push to the current system to choose talented women who are not well-known and would not have had a chance without this bill to be appointed to a committee.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) asked why the government supports this bill and a similar bill for Arabs, but opposes the Expanding the Fair Representation of Haredim Bill. He asked how they can claim that they can’t approve the bill because they disagree over who is considered Haredi, but when it comes to bills that discriminate against the Haredim everything works out.

MK Ilatov (Y.B.) supported the bill and noted that one-third of his party’s MKs are female.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) supported the bill and called himself a feminist. He went on to tell the people of Itamar that the “country” of Tel Aviv is with them and are condemning the massacre and demanding justice for the killers.

The bill passed its first reading 22-1 and was sent to the Women’s Rights Committee. MK Shamalov Berkovich (Kadima) announced that she opposed the bill by mistake, but the MKs heckled her claiming she opposed the bill on purpose.

Amendment to the Israel Economic Recovery Program to Achieve Budget Targets of Economic Policy for Fiscal Years 2003 and 2004 Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) explained that the amendment would exempt New Zealand workers from various taxes. He stated this would help Israelis hire New Zealand workers because of the tax break.

The bill passed its second reading 21-0.

The bill passed its third reading 21-0.

Amendment to the Land Bill

Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Azoulay (Shas) explained that the amendment would require an apartment to have a Shabbat elevator even if it is the only elevator in the building in the event that 51% of the residents approve the measure. He added that 100% of the building would be required to pay for the Shabbat elevator expenses, even if they opposed the Shabbat elevator.

The bill passed its second reading 18-0.

The bill passed its third reading 19-0.

MK Orbach (J.H.) thanked the Knesset for approving the law. He noted it took him two years to gain support for it. He thanked MK Ilatov for helping him find a solution that will work for both religious and secular residents.

Amendment to the Energy Sources Bill

Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Azoulay explained that the amendment would require the government to implement conservation programs in its energy plants (water, electricity, gas, etc), and add additional security protocols to protect the plants and their workers.

MK Khenin called the bill an energy revolution that will conserve energy and protect the environment. He hoped this bill would bring Israel another step closer to energy independence. He thanked MK Ilatov for convincing the government to drop its objections to the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 17-0.

The bill passed its third reading 18-0.

Amendment to the Patents Bill

Agriculture Minister Noked (Independence) explained that the amendment would create a national authority that would maintain an index to be used for searches of all of Israel’s patents.

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