Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Monday’s session lasted about six hours and forty five minutes. Seven bills were discussed. Three bills became law after passing their third readings, and four bills were advanced after passing their first readings. Among those advanced were the Petroleum Profits Tax Bill, also known as the Sheshinski Bill, and a bill that would prohibit the selling of fur, which would be the first such bill passed around the globe. The highlight among the new laws is the creation of a national bone marrow donor system. Three no-confidence motions were defeated earlier in the day.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Netanyahu increases the gaps in Israel hurting the middle class section of the population’ was defeated 34-53 with 33 MKs not present.
• Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The Israeli government is untrustworthy because of deterioration in State education, overcrowding in classrooms, the decline in student achievement and raising the parents’ payments to new heights’ was defeated 33-53 with 34 MKs not present.
• The three Israeli-Arab parties’ no-confidence motion titled ‘Continuing Israeli blockade on Gaza’ was defeated 8-57-1 with 54 MKs not present.
• Speaker Rivlin eulogized Palmach fighter and journalist Netiva Ben-Yehuda, who passed away last week.
• House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced that Kadima MKs Whbee and Tirosh will switch their positions in the Funds Committee. From now on Tirosh will be a permanent member and Whbee will be a substitute.
• Education Minister Sa’ar announced the transfer of certain powers from the Veterans ministry to the Education ministry.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Supervision of Financial Services Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) explained the amendment would add a long list of regulations in order to supervise the pension consulting and pension marketing industries. He noted this bill was split off from the Arrangements Bill so his committee could spend a few more months tweaking it before its final readings. He concluded by praising the bill and stated that this bill will protect the public.

MK Oron (Meretz) praised the final version of the bill and blasted the previous version that was part of the Arrangements Bill. He blasted the Arrangements Bill as a whole.

MK Levy-Abekasis (Y.B.) praised the bill and thanked MKs Katz and Oron, who gave her a helpful crash course on the complicated subject of pension regulations in Israel.

MK Swaid (Hadash) praised the bill but blasted the neo-liberal economic programs of the capitalistic government. He went on to pitch communism as the most socially just economic system.

MK Khenin (Hadash) praised the bill but criticized Israel’s steady adoption of western capitalistic policies. He stated that Israel’s economy was headed in a better direction in its earlier years and called on the government to return to those days.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) praised the bill and thanked all of the MKs who chose to withdraw their objections to the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 36-0.

The bill passed its third reading 38-0.

Petroleum Profits Tax Bill/ The Sheshinski Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen started presenting the bill because Finance Minister Steinitz was nowhere to be found. Cohen stalled to prevent the bill from being voted down until Steinitz entered the plenum and switched him. The opposition MKs heckled and spoke out against the tactic.

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) said that when he entered his position over two years ago he was told that Israel receives fewer taxes from its natural resources than most countries and ranks last among the western and modern countries. He explained the problem started with the fact that the government share of revenues from its natural resources such as natural gas or oil was over 50% in the 1950s when the company tax was about 50%, and as the company tax was reduced over the last 50 years to less than 20%, so did the government’s share. He said other countries dealt with this problem by raising or creating new taxes on natural resources, while Israel remained the only country not to follow suit. Steinitz explained that, under the old tax system, even large natural gas deposits would leave the country with only a small government share. He stated that as a response he asked international natural resources expert and Hebrew University Professor Eytan Sheshinski to chair a committee that met for nine months and resulted in this bill. He said that Sheshinski is fearless and told a story from Sheshinski’s youth in which he beat up a grizzly bear with a stick to get back his bag in Yosemite Park in the U.S. He stressed that Sheshinski found the balance between the government’s share and the profits for the companies that found the natural resources, in order to encourage more companies to discover more natural resources. He noted the average government share in the OECD countries is around 60% and that the Sheshinski Bill will raise the Israeli share to between 56%-57%. He concluded by saying the new tax will allow Israel to raise the budget on education and welfare.

MK Oron supported the bill and appreciated Steinitz’s speech. He noted that as a socialist he would prohibit the private companies from having anything to do with natural resources and have the State control all of it, but he is willing, in the current political climate, to support the bill the way it is until he is appointed finance minister.

MK Khenin supported the bill and praised Steinitz. He blasted the lobbyists and the private companies that hired them. He stressed that he expected a lot more from the bill, mainly in regards to the government playing a bigger role at the expense of the gas and oil tycoons. He concluded by saying Israel should give the companies their money back and develop its own natural resources.

MK Swaid supported the bill and blasted the lobbyists and the gas and oil tycoons who hired them. He slammed the idea that private companies will have any sort of contact with the countries natural resources.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) said that God intervened by allowing us to find the natural gas deposits now, as Egypt’s and Libya’s natural resources are slowly destroyed. He blasted an MK who said if the money goes to the Haredim it would be better if we didn’t use the gas at all.

MK Zeev (Shas) blasted the bill and supported the private companies that invested billions of dollars to discover the resources. He told the government they are ungrateful and should be ashamed of themselves. He noted without these companies the government wouldn’t get anything and stressed that changing the rules in the middle of the game isn’t democratic. He blasted the government for giving up the search for natural resources in the 1980s after determining there weren’t any left to be found and asked why the government should ask for a bigger share today. He concluded by comparing the situation to a person winning the lottery and then being told by the government that he might have won the lottery, but they are taking away his monetary prize. He called this a bad bill that will hurt the country.

MK Bar-On (Kadima) praised the Israeli film on the children of Sudanese refugees going to school in Tel Aviv that won an Oscar. He went on to blast the bill and support the private companies that discovered the natural resources. He said that as a former finance minister he disagrees with Steinitz’s numbers and analysis. He concluded by praising capitalism and slammed Oron’s socialism and Khenin’s communism.

MK Majadele (Labor) supported the bill and blasted those who opposed it, calling them hypocrites. He said this bill is good for the public and that is what is important.

MK Cabel (Labor) supported the bill and Steinitz. He warned the fight in the committee is ahead of us, and the bill might change before it is passed.

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) thanked God that we have this subject to argue about. He said that he supports the bill presented by the finance minister but agrees with some of former finance minister Bar-On’s concerns and hopes there will be some compromises in the committee.

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) supported the government over the private companies, which resulted in heckling from his colleague MK Bar-On. Sheetrit stressed that this bill is a good idea.

MK Ariel (N.U.) noted that the bill is not retroactive and will apply only to future discoveries. He questioned who exactly falls into the grey area of those who invested in discovering gas or oil, but have not started refining it. He summarized by stating the grey area is what people are arguing over and suggested in the committee that these decisions are made black and white.

MK Yacimovich (Labor) blasted the gas and oil tycoons and attacked their lobbyists and high-powered friends throughout the Israeli media. She said much has changed since the 1952 bill and this much needed update must be passed as soon as possible. She noted that the bill is not retroactive, as MK Ariel did. She accused Kadima of flanking Likud on the right with their support for the gas tycoons.

MK Wilf (Independence) praised the bill and the natural gases that will grant Israel energy independence. She stressed the importance of energy independence on our economy.

MK Shama (Likud) supported Sheshinski, his committee and the bill they presented. He praised Steinitz for supporting Sheshinski over the tycoons and their lobbyist army.

Finance Minister Steinitz revealed that, as a former philosophy professor, he does not understand the logic of those who oppose the bill on the grounds that Israeli citizens do not have the right to benefit from their own natural resources. He thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for supporting the bill and the philosophy behind the bill. He stressed there is no retroactive part of this bill.

The bill passed its first reading 36-8-1 and was sent to the House Committee to decide whether the Finance or Funds Committee will discuss the bill.

Amendment to the Employment of Women Bill

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) explained that the amendment would allow the full rights to adoptive and foster parents that new mothers receive today, such as maternity leave.

The bill passed its first reading 19-0 and was sent to the Labor, Welfare and Health Committee.

Amendment to the Pharmacists Ordinance Bill

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) explained that the amendment would extend the temporary provision of the protection of confidential information disclosed in medical cases for another five years.

MK Ariel supported the bill and went on to ask the ministers present to speak out against the shooting of Israeli citizens in the Gilad Farm by the Israeli police. He asked them to prevent the next occurrence of such an incident.

The bill passed its first reading 13-0 and was sent to the Labor, Welfare and Health Committee.

Amendment to the Proposed Wildlife Protection Bill

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) explained that the amendment would prohibit hunting animals for sport and the import of all fur products and increase the punishment for poisoning animals or throwing out one’s pets into the street or open spaces. He noted that fur products for religious purposes will be allowed under the new bill. MK Cabel heckled him on that point. Erdan defended the decision saying that the State shouldn’t suppress religious freedom.

MK Hotoveli (Likud) said she was embarrassed to be a coalition MK on the day of the Gilad Farm shootings and compared them to the Amona fiasco of 2006. She blasted the policemen who wore ski masks while shooting their citizens, treating them like convicted terrorists.

MK Zeev said he cried when he saw that this bill grants more rights to animals than the citizens of Gilad Farm received when they were lined up and shot at 4:30 AM. He noted that streimels might be prohibited under the bill that is being discussed, and he blasted the vague bill.

MK Ariel praised the bill and said that the bill exists in the bible as part of the commandment of not harming animals. He praised MKs Hotoveli and Zeev’s speeches. He asked how Israeli citizens could receive the same bullets that were shot and killed several men on the Mavi Marmara ship of the Turkish flotilla. He stressed that the Gilad Farm shootings were worse than Amona.

MK Gafni (U.T.J.) noted that several countries have forbidden “shechita” because they feel it violates animal rights. Gafni asked why Israel should be the first country to prohibit fur, considering it might encourage other countries to adopt the bill but without the clause that allows fur for religious reasons. He also suggested we care for our own citizens before we care for our animals.

The bill passed its first reading 14-0 with 2 MKs abstaining and was sent to the Interior and Environment Committee.

Amendment to the National Insurance Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the amendment would correct the current system in which a person who serves fewer than 75 days of military reserve duty receives his payment from his employer. He announced the new system would have the money transferred directly to soldier without the employer acting as a middleman. He added this system would be enforced for those who serve more than seven days per year, as opposed to 75 as was the case previously. Katz expressed regret that the bill won’t take affect for those who serve for seven or fewer days as was outlined when the bill passed its first reading.

The bill passed its second reading 11-0.

The bill passed its third reading 12-0.

MK Cabel thanked everyone who helped him pass the bill he sponsored earlier in the term.

Prescription Bone Marrow Donors Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the bill would create a national bone marrow donor system, including a bone marrow donor bank. He noted that there are three private bone marrow donor banks in Israel and that they are quite expensive. He announced that by creating a national bank this bill will allow the “average Joe” to find an appropriate affordable solution. He added that the police and court system will not be allowed to access the information in the national bank and use it against Israel’s citizens. He thanked his assistants for helping him with the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 10-0.

The bill passed its third reading 10-0.

MK Orlev (J.H.), who co-sponsored the bill, thanked a long list of people including his assistants who helped him along the journey of the past five years that it took to pass this bill. He noted this bill will save between 150-160 lives each year. He called this bill the most important and historic of all the 50+ bills that he has passed in his career as an MK.

MK Bielski (Kadima), who co-sponsored the bill, said that if this is the only bill that he ever passes he will consider his tenure as an MK successful. He thanked Orlev for pressing everyone to pass the bill and Netanyahu for approving the budget to implement the bill.

Last Wednesday’s session lasted about ten hours. Nine bills were discussed. Two bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings, four were defeated and three were turned into motions in order to avoid defeat. The headline of the day was Netanyahu voting against his bill from the previous term that would grant full citizen rights to settlers in Judea and Samaria, and Netanyahu accidentally voting against his own speech in the 40-MK discussion.

Non-Bills Summary

• House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) revealed the new breakdown of which MKs will represent the Labor party in the various committees. MK Cabel will serve on the House and Defense and Foreign Affairs Committees. MK Yacimovich will serve on the Funds and Labor, Welfare and Health Committees. MK Peretz will serve on the Finance Committee. MK Braverman will serve on the Interior and Environment Committee. MK Herzog will serve on the Law, Constitution and Justice Committee. MK Ben Simon will serve on the Women’s Rights, Science and Technology, and Immigration and Absorption Committees. He announced the following substitutes for the Labor party: MK Herzog on the House and Defense and Foreign Affairs Committees, MK Majadele on the Funds Committee, MK Braverman on the Finance Committee and MK Cabel on the Law, Constitution and Justice Committee. He also announced the six committees in which the lone non-minister Independence MK Wilf will represent her party. They are the House, Funds, Defense and Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Absorption, State Comptroller, and Science and Technology Committees. He announced that MK Pinyan (Likud) will be a substitute in the Defense and Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology, and Immigration and Absorption Committees. MK Levin will be a substitute in the Funds and State Comptroller Committees. MK Elkin (Likud) will be a substitute in the Education, Culture and Sport Committee. MK Hotovely (Likud) will be a substitute in the House Committee. MK Abesadze (Kadima) will be a substitute in the House, Finance, and Interior and Environment Committees. MK Zeev (Shas) will replace MK Amsellem (Shas) as a substitute in the Law, Constitution and Justice Committee. All of the measures were approved by a single 7-1 vote.
• A discussion requested by 40 MKs on the topic of the “Netanyahu Government’s failure in the political, economic and social sectors” took place. 16 MKs spoke, followed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Livni. A number of Kadima MKs were thrown out of the plenum during the heated debate. The Knesset approved Netanyahu’s speech 46-33, even though Netanyahu accidentally voted against it.
• Three motions were discussed. A motion on Education Minister Sa’ar’s (Likud) program for students’ class trips to Hebron was discussed by four MKs and the minister himself and was defeated 6-8. A motion on the cuts across the board in the government offices was discussed by four MKs and Finance Minister Steinitz and was sent to the Funds Committee for further discussion. A motion on the PA request to the UN Security Council and the U.S. veto was discussed by five MKs and Minister Steinitz and was defeated 4-5.
• Transportation Minister Katz (Likud), Education Minister Sa’ar and Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon (Y.B.) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session. Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon answered additional queries at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Joint Investment Trust Law

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained that his amendment would require public joint investment companies to publish a prospectus in the newspaper when they are formed.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government support for the bill.

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

Amendment to the Entry into Israel Law

MK Azoulay (Shas) explained that his amendment would establish a committee chaired by a retired judge that would allow, in certain humanitarian cases, employing a foreign worker in the field of nursing beyond the original departure date. He added that certain elderly people who have foreign private nurses and are near death are forced to get a new nurse for the last few months of their life because the previous nurse’s visa expired. He expressed hope the new committee would correct the situation.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 41-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Planning and Construction Bill/Motion

MK Whbee (Kadima) explained that his amendment would promote speeding up the authorization for receiving building and planning permits in areas where there is a high concentration of illegal housing. He stated that these areas have a legal housing shortage and therefore have resorted to illegal building. He hoped this would encourage people to build houses legally, as opposed to taking the law into their own hands. He noted the Druze community, which he represents, has a severe housing shortage and said this bill is a necessary step to correct it.

Interior Minister Yishai opposed the bill on the grounds that this bill will encourage illegal building and hurt the public. He stated the government is looking into various solutions to the housing shortage and have a number of government bills currently being discussed in Knesset committees. He suggested turning the bill into a motion.

MK Whbee blasted the government, who haven’t authorized any building in the Druze community for over a decade. Whbee agreed to turn the bill into a motion.

The motion passed 83-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Public Housing Tenants Rights Bill

MK Solodkin (Kadima) explained that her amendment would entitle free public housing for all new immigrants.

Housing and Construction Minister Atias (Shas) opposed the bill on the grounds that the bill discriminates against Israeli citizens who are not immigrants. He attacked the idea that new immigrants or older immigrants should receive public housing over regular Israeli citizens.

MK Solodkin said the subject isn’t the equality of all Israeli citizens. She stressed that the current situation discriminates against new immigrants and discourages people from making aliyah.

The bill was defeated 26-37.

Amendment to the Population Registry Bill

MK Oron (Meretz) explained that his amendment would change the definition of who is considered a Jew on a teudat zehut (national identification document) in the interior ministry. In the new definition conservative and reform Jews and their converts would be defined as Jewish.

Interior Minister Yishai opposed the bill on the grounds that the conservative and reform Jews are not Jewish therefore there is no reason to change the definition of who is Jewish.

MK Oron said that there are hundreds of thousands of citizens who view themselves as Jewish and he feels strongly that they deserve to be considered Jewish.

The bill was defeated 3-54.

Amendment to the Compulsory Education Bill

MK Barakeh (Hadash) explained that his amendment would exempt all parents from mandatory payments for their children’s education, including school books and field trips.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) opposed the bill on the grounds that it would cost over NIS 1 billion annually to implement.

MK Barakeh warned that there will be students who are discriminated against and will not attend to their studies as a result.

The bill was defeated 15-34-1.

Amendment to the Retirement Age Bill/Motion

MK Ganaim (R.T.) explained his amendment would slowly start lowering the retirement age for teachers.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) opposed the bill on the grounds that 60 is a respectable retirement age. He added that certain applicants can file for early retirement at the age of 50 if they meet certain criteria. He concluded that other jobs that are more demanding than teaching do not receive such benefits. He asked Ganaim to turn the bill into a motion, and Ganaim agreed.

The motion passed 25-0 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Amendment to the Law and Administration Ordinance Bill

MK Katzeleh (N.U.) explained that his amendment would begin the application of Israeli law in Jewish cities, regional councils and local councils within Judea and Samaria effective immediately. He explained that he first brought up this bill a year ago and the government has postponed the vote ever since by making false promises. Katzeleh asked that MK Ariel finish presenting the bill because he was sick and hoarse and no one could hear him. Speaker Rivlin authorized the request.

MK Ariel (N.U.) clarified that the bill would apply Israeli law to the recognized Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria but would not apply Israeli law to the open areas, the Palestinian-controlled areas or the rest of Judea and Samaria. He spent a great deal of time quoting verses from the Torah (Bible) which mention the various Jewish settlements that are included in the bill, such as Hebron, Bet-El, Shiloh and Rachel’s tomb. He cited several historical links between the settlements and Jewish history including the British Balfour Declaration of 1917. MK Zahalka (Balad) heckled Ariel as he discussed the history of the six day war in 1967. After the long history lesson, he went on to list the ministers and MKs who co-sponsored this identical bill three years ago, including the main sponsor at the time, Prime Minister Netanyahu. Some of the other co-sponsors from three years ago include current Ministers Edelstein, Eitan, Erdan, Kahlon, Katz, Livnat, Landver, Misezhnikov, Margi, Sa’ar, Steinitz and Shalom; current Deputy Ministers Cohen and Litzman; Speaker Rivlin; current coalition MKs Ilatov, Orlev, Azoulay, Elkin, Amsellem, Gafni, Vaknin, Zeev, Cohen, Katz, Michaeli, Miller, Rotem, and Shemtov; and Kadima MK Yisrael Hasson. He said that citizens who pay taxes, serve the army and fulfill all their civil duties must be given full rights as a citizen, as opposed to the current law that requires them to stand trial in military courts. He called the current situation not worthy, not fair, not democratic, not Jewish and without integrity. He noted that most of the ministers who were asked to present the government position on the bill refused to do so, and he called on them to support the bill.

Minister Begin (Likud) agreed that the government pushed off the decision on this bill for too long. He announced that he and all of the ministers decided to vote against this bill. Begin agreed that Alon Moreh and Bet-El are part of our Jewish heritage. He said that the population in Judea and Samaria has reached 350,000 people without this bill, and he expects the numbers to grow beyond that mark without this bill as well. MKs Ben-Ari and Hotovely heckled Begin from the right and MKs Bar-On, Shai, Tibi, Barakeh and Yoel Hasson heckled him from the left. MK Ben-Ari was removed from the plenum after being called to order three times. Begin concluded that this bill will not be passed until a peace agreement is signed with the Palestinians.

MK Ariel and Minister Begin shared a few words by the podium. Speaker Rivlin called on them to save it for his chambers, where they were both invited for after the bill was voted on. Ariel revealed that Begin attacked him for accusing the government of being immoral and inhumane by opposing the bill. Ariel responded that it is immoral and inhumane that Begin has more rights as a citizen than Ariel’s wife and children because Ariel lives in Judea and Samaria. Ariel went on to attack Likud and Yisrael Beitenu, who promised big things for Judea and Samaria during the election campaign and are opposing this bill. He attacked the government for applying a building freeze by not approving one building in Judea and Samaria since they took power two years ago. He asked if any of the ministers knows if there is one other country in the world that prohibits Jews from building homes. He noted that not one minister or MK stood up, because the answer is clear. He concluded by attacking the government for prohibiting Jews from visiting the temple mount. He asked his co-sponsors to vote in favor of the bill. Among the current co-sponsors of the bill from the coalition were Likud MKs Levin, Hotovely, Elkin, Danon, Regev, Shama and Pinyan; Yisrael Beitenu MKs Rotem, Miller, Kirshenbaum, Amar, Michaeli, Matalon and Levy-Abekasis; Shas MKs Vaknin, Michaeli, Azoulay, Amsellem, Cohen and Zeev; United Torah Judaism MKs Maklev and Moses; and Jewish Home MK Orbach. None of them voted for the bill, but all were either absent or refused to participate in the vote.

40 MKs from the opposition requested a roll-call to embarrass Netanyahu. Only 20 of the 66 coalition MKs attended the vote and opposed the bill; the other 46 MKs were scared off by the roll-call and the cameras that were set up in the audience.

Netanyahu, Likud ministers Edelstein, Eitan, Erdan, Begin, Ya’alon, Kahlon, Livnat, Meridor, Sa’ar, Peled and Steinitz and Speaker Rivlin opposed the bill. Independence Ministers Vilnai, Noked and Simhon and MK Wilf also opposed the bill. The Degel Hatorah party of the United Torah Judaism faction, MKs Gafni and Maklev, opposed the bill. Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon also opposed the bill. The opposition’s 29 MKs who opposed the bill waited to vote until the second and third roll-calls in order to pressure the 20 coalition MKs who opposed the bill to search for their missing colleagues. The 4 National Union MKs were the only MKs to vote for the bill.

The bill was defeated 4-49 with 67 MKs not present.

Protecting the Rights of Israeli Citizens Where Israeli Law Does Not Apply Bill/Motion

MK Zeev (Shas) explained that his bill would prohibit the State from evicting by force settlers from their homes. He stated the bill requires Israel to follow the human rights requirements of the United Nations when it comes to evicting a population from their property, such as not throwing a person out of his house by force and when he does not have a different place to live.

Minister Begin expressed government opposition to the bill and explained that he came to an agreement with MK Zeev that the bill would be turned into a motion.

The motion passed 8-1 and will be discussed further in the plenum.

Tuesday’s session lasted about two hours and fifteen minutes, including a short recess in the middle. No bills were discussed. Two motions were discussed, but neither was voted on. The short day had a low attendance with a plenum that never reached double digits at any time during the day. In fact, only one-third of the MKs were in the building when Speaker Rivlin opened the session.

Non-Bills Summary

• 18 MKs participated in the ‘One Minute Speech’ segment of the day. The economy and Gilad Shalit were the main topics.
• A motion on the Jubilee of the Bar Association was discussed by Speaker Rivlin and six MKs.
• A motion on Gilad Shalit, who has been in captivity for more than 1,700 days, was discussed by Speaker Rivlin and eight MKs.

Monday’s session lasted about five hours. Two bills were discussed. The Foreign Entity Funds Disclosure Requirement Bill became law after a heated debate followed by a 40-34 vote in the third reading. A bill on public companies and Israeli bonds was advanced after passing its first reading. Three no-confidence motions were defeated.

Non-Bills Summary

• Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘Overbooked Hospitals in distress – Health Minister Netanyahu ignores and endangers the lives of patients’ was defeated 45-56 with 19 MKs not present.
• Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The impasse in the political and economic sectors of the Netanyahu government’ was defeated 42-57 with 21 MKs not present.
• The three Israeli-Arab parties’ joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The government’s harassment of civilians and the destruction of a village in the Negev’ was defeated 16-61-13 with 30 MKs not present.
• Industry and Trade Minister Simhon (Independence) outlined the government opposition to the attempt to revive a bill from last term as requested by the Labor, Welfare and Health Committee. MK Oron (Meretz) tried to convince the MKs to support it. The request was defeated 44-58.
• Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) requested the Knesset’s approval of the transfer of certain powers from the Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) to himself. Six MKs gave their speeches on the subject from the podium. It was approved 55-6.
• House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced that MK Schneller (Kadima) will replace MK Abesadze (Kadima) in the State Comptroller Committee. He also announced which disputed bills will be discussed in which committees.

Bills Summary

Foreign Entity Funds Disclosure Requirement Bill

Law, Constitution and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained that the bill will force all companies and organizations, both profit and non-profit, to disclose to the tax authorities the incoming cash flow from all foreign countries and foreign companies. Kadima MKs, led by MKs Yoel Hasson and Adatto, heckled Rotem as he presented the bill. He called the hundreds of opposition objections to the bill jokes and a parody.

MK Molla (Kadima) objected to the bill on the grounds that it isn’t equal. He said that private contributions should be added to the bill, but MK Rotem refuses because he wants to hurt the left-wing contributors without hurting the right-wing ones. He labeled the bill ‘anti-democratic’. He added that he asked for America and other friendly countries to be exempt from this bill and that it only apply to enemy countries like Iran. He also added that Israelis who don’t live in Israel should be added to bill as well. He praised the human rights organizations and the foreign countries that fund them and blasted the bill that would hurt them. He labeled the bill an ‘anti-democratic, racist and populist’ bill. He called MK Elkin an extremist deserter who was always too right-wing for Kadima. He accused Netanyahu of competing with Liberman over who is more of a right-wing extremist. He charged that MK Ben Ari (N.U.) was navigating Netanyahu and all of the government’s policies. (MK Ben Ari could be seen chuckling during MK Molla’s speech.) Molla went on to call Ben Ari an occupier (settler).  Molla told Ben Ari that he is burying Zionism and trying to destroy democracy and called him an extreme right-wing coalition member. (It should be noted that MK Ben Ari and National Union sit in the opposition along with Kadima). MK Ben Ari attempted to respond and defend himself but Deputy Speaker Whbee (Kadima) silenced him. Molla concluded by saying that this Yisrael Beitenu bill is dangerous and will change democracy as we know it. (It should be noted that the sponsor of the bill was MK Elkin from Likud).

MK Oron (Meretz) agreed that the bill is anti-democratic, something he said has become a weekly event. He said that transparency of funds from foreign governments and companies can’t be outlawed when funds from a foreign citizen don’t need to be transparent. He called it hypocrisy. He said that there are limits to what a majority can do to a minority and this government has passed what is acceptable with this bill. He called the coalition a bunch of bullies.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) called this one of a tsunami of anti-democratic bills. He said there seems to be a competition among Likud MKs over who can bring and pass the most anti-democratic bill in the Knesset. He suggested that the answer lies within the Likud primary system where out of the 27 current MKs only 18 MKs can be re-elected to realistic spots within the first 35. He explained the outcome of such a system is that nine of the Likud MKs sitting here will not be in the next Knesset. He said the fight over who won’t be among the third of the MKs to go home is fierce and it promotes these types of votes in order to please Likud Central Committee members. He alleged that Liberman, who Horowitz claims will be in jail soon, wishes to bring down the left along with him. He blasted the pardon of disengagement prisoners, the prohibition on the Arabs celebrating “the tragedy” instead of Independence Day, allowing neighborhood committees to prohibit entrance to Arab families, prohibition of boycotting the government, discrimination against those who don’t serve in the army, the demolishing of Arab homes, taking away Arab MKs’ rights and pensions and several other bills which he claim create a chilling effect. He said this is just another anti-democratic bill among dozens. He called the countries giving money to leftist groups good friends. He summarized by labeling the bill a political bill.

MK Zuaretz (Kadima) said there is no such thing as partial transparency and blasted the bill. She said the U.N. vote this week proved that the world views Israel as illegitimate. She warned this bill will embarrass what few friends we might have left in Europe. She suggested not drying up the well that we are drinking out of. She wondered how Israel would feel if Zaire told us they were supervising our humanization aid to their country. She said the only ones who are hurting Israel and its legitimacy are Netanyahu, his ministers and the coalition MKs. She called on the right to show transparency of which businessmen are funding their parties. She accused right-wing organization “Im Tirtzu” of giving money to Iran.

MK Khenin (Hadash) said there is no problem of transparency of leftist groups in Israel. He demanded that the right reveal who funded the campaign to pass this bill. He called the “occupied and conquered” territories illegal. He said that this bill is based on fear. He warned the right that the left has a very strong base in Tel Aviv and will fight the settler lovers and said he predicts there will be eventually a leftist victory.

MK Swaid (Hadash) said this was among a flood of anti-democratic bills that violates international law. He warned the Knesset that the Supreme Court will overrule this bill and therefore they shouldn’t even bother passing it.

MK El-Sana (R.T.) labeled the bill McCarthyism. He slammed the government and Zionist organizations that receive exemptions from this bill.

MK Zahalka (Balad) stated this bill is targeting human rights organizations, which will allow the government to violate human rights easier than before. He said there are very few human rights organizations and they have few resources, and now the government wants to shut them up. He called on the Knesset to take the political anti-democratic bill and throw it in the trash where it belongs.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) said that he wished to learn the terminology of the prior speakers’ slogans of human rights. He called them hypocrites for talking about human rights when just a few months ago they visited with Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi and were his honored guests. He noted they called Gaddafi king of all kings. He said that it is a total disgrace for these same MKs who get up and talk about human rights when they stand behind Gaddafi, who is killing thousands and leading a genocide. He stressed these MKs don’t care about human rights. He asked where these MKs were when 8,000 people were kicked out of their houses against their will and where their human rights were then. He asked what the definition of anti-democratic is. He answered democracy is what the majority decides, not the minority. He asked where the human rights are for the residents of the Tikva neighborhood in Jerusalem who are being robbed, assaulted and raped by the Sudanese illegals. He summarized by saying that Israeli organizations shouldn’t be receiving funds from our enemies in Iran and Syria, and this bill will put an end to that by exposing which human rights organizations are working for Ahmadinejad. He concluded by saying the left are the ones who are trying to install fear because they are afraid that the bill will expose them and who their real friends are.

MK Cabel (Labor) asked the government who they are afraid of. He asked if they thought this would fix Israel’s problems. He warned this bill brings division in the country instead of unity. He said this bill is part of the competition between Likud and Yisrael Beitenu over who is more right-wing.

Speaker Rivlin expressed his personal support for the bill.

Minister Eitan (Likud) said it hurts him that Cabel opposes the bill. Eitan praised Cabel, who refused a ministerial position earlier in the term. Eitan went on to say that most of the human rights organizations favor the bill and only a small minority oppose it. He summarized that the bill is a worthy bill and one that is much weaker than the American and European equivalents.

Law, Constitution and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem confessed he is surprised by the opposition to the bill, particularly from MK Cabel. He explained that MK Herzog (Labor) demanded certain changes at the passing of the first reading, and those changes were made. He noted that the New Israel Fund also supported the bill. Therefore, he felt that a bill that was drafted with the cooperation of Labor and the NIF should result in Cabel supporting the bill. Heckling followed for several minutes until the coalition MKs showed up for the vote.

MK Khenin agreed on behalf of the opposition to remove all of their objections except for one.

The bills paragraphs passed their second readings 38-33 and 40-34.

The opposition’s single objection that was brought for a vote was defeated 33-38.

The bill passed its third reading 40-34.

Amendment to the Companies Bill

Justice Minister Neeman explained the amendment would allow public companies to buy Israeli bonds, something that they are currently prohibited to do. He listed the six requirements that the public companies need to meet in order to take advantage of the bill.

MK Ariel (N.U.) asked the Justice Minister why his ministry is going to demolish the homes of the widows in Eli. He asked why his ministry is enforcing a building freeze in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem. He asked if there is one place where Jews aren’t allowed to build a house and if this was legal in any country. He asked why children in Hebron don’t have a kindergarten. He asked when the last Gush Katif refugees will move to their permanent homes. He concluded that this bill is apparently more important than any of the topics he mentioned above.

MK Ben Ari pondered if this was the bill that the public thought about when they voted for a right-wing government. He said he knows where the left and the Arabs are going, but he asked where Netanyahu and the Likud are going because that is something no one seems to know. He slammed the government for the housing crisis that is causing people to postpone getting married and having kids. MK Majadele (Labor) heckled and Ben Ari responded that Majadele, who calls himself a Palestinian, should go live with Abu Mazen where he is wanted. Majadele responded that Ben Ari isn’t wrong. Ben Ari concluded by slamming the government for not defending the border with Gaza and blasted Netanyahu for voting for the disengagement. He called the government a big talker who does nothing.

The bill passed its first reading 11-2 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Below is Hebrew dialogue between MKs Ben Ari and Majadele, taken from the official protocol.
מיכאל בן-ארי (האיחוד הלאומי):

איזו בשורה. טוב, שמעתי אותך. איזו בשורה – אתה, תלך לאבו מאזן, אתה והחברים שלך, לך לאבו מאזן, מצא מין את מינו, לך לאבו מאזן, זה המקום שלך.

גאלב מג’אדלה (העבודה):

נכון, לא טעית.

מיכאל בן-ארי (האיחוד הלאומי):

שמענו אותך, אתה אמרת: אני פלסטיני, אני לא ציוני. שמענו אותך, אנחנו יודעים בדיוק. אני מדבר על הליכוד, אני לא מדבר על אויבים עכשיו.

גאלב מג’אדלה (העבודה):

נכון. לא טעית.

מיכאל בן-ארי (האיחוד הלאומי):

אני לא מדבר על האויבים.

גאלב מג’אדלה (העבודה):

לא טעית.