Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Today’s session that went a little over 4 hours focused on the two motions of no-confidence in the government on the topics of Charadi and Arab education. A bill was passed and two ministers answered queries. Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) had 23 to answer for compared to Agriculture Minister Simchon (Labor) who had just five.

Two Motions of no-confidence

First motion of no confidence on behalf of Kadima on the topic of “Netanyahu government’s perpetuation of a record-breaking state education gap between secular and orthodox education and keeps silent in front of the polarization, differentiation due to rising violence in society only desire to survive at any cost”. (It didn’t make sense in Hebrew either.)

MK Tirosh (Kadima) complained about the high budget given to the charedi sector. She warned of an upcoming demographic war with charedim and cited statistics that charedim will take over the country. She maintained controlling their education is the only way to modernize them.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Education) questioned the hypocrisy of MK Tirosh who carried out the very policy she is criticizing from 2001-2005 as director of the education ministry and from 2006-2009 as a coalition Kadima MK in the Education Committee. Sa’ar charged that Kadima started this mess with passing the very laws it accused the Likud of following and it is weird to try and bring down the government on something that clearly isn’t its fault.  MK Tirosh was thrown out of the room for disturbing the minister’s response. The minister stated that there were no magic answers, but there are plans his ministry is working on, and they will be publicized shortly.

Second motion of no confidence on behalf of the Arab parties- Ra’am-Ta’al, Hadash and Balad- on the topic of “the continuing discrimination against the Arab population in the country in education and employment.”

MK Ganem (Ra’am-Ta’al) slammed the government’s treatment of Arabs and questioned the democratic state of the country, both in regards to education and employment in the Arab sector. He lectured that democracy is not about money, it is about people.

Minister of Minority Affairs Braverman (Labor) remarked that there are things that are being done, but agreed they weren’t enough. He pledged to come up with new plans that will do more for the Arab public’s need for employment and education.

Discussion on the two motions

MK Mula (Kadima) criticized charedi society as a whole. MK Amar (Y.B.), a druze, defended the government. MK Bensimon (Labor) blamed the charedi leadership for today’s situation. MK Ze’ev (Shas) questioned the loyalty of Arabs to the state, especially MK Ganem who publicly supports Iran. MK Gafni (U.T.J.) listed the amount of laws he passed in Labor and Kadima governments. Gafni confessed he doesn’t try to pass as many laws during a Likud administration because they are harder to pass into law with the left in the opposition. MK Tibi (Ra’am-Ta’al) went on a rant calling all Israelis racist. MK Ariel (N.U.) suggested Kadima give the Likud a hug instead of voting on a useless no-confidence motion that would surely fail. Ariel said he looks forward to chol hamoed sukkot when the settlement freeze ends. Ariel questioned how certain members of the government could stay silent with the Jerusalem freeze that started in December. MK Chanin (Chadash) wondered if Bibi broke the record for most parties (including coalition parties) that did not believe him or in him. MK Horovitz (Meretz) talked in support of Kadima’s motion. MK Orbach (U.T.J.) blasted his liberal friends for supporting the wishes of the Arabs but criticizing the wishes of the charedim. MK Chutobeli (Likud) said the government has done a lot, and will do more in the charedi education matters.

Kadima’s no-confidence motion was defeated 29-49-1, with 41 MKs not present. The second no-confidence motion fell 24-51, with 45 MKs not voting.

Vote on Amendment to Life Financial Services Control Bill

Agriculture Minister Simchon’s (Labor) amendment would reduce the number of people that would profit from the bill. MK Oron (Meretz) said he objected to parts of the bill but would vote in favor. MK Ben-Ari (N.U.) chose to talk about Jerusalem Day and how few people today care about it. MK Eldad (N.U.) chose to talk about the Jerusalem housing freeze.

The bill was passed in its first reading 21-0 and will be sent to the Committee on Labor, Social Affairs and Health.

Queries to Agriculture Minister Simchon (Labor)

The minister answered MK Finin’s (Likud) query on the lack of funding for neutering cats. The minister agreed it was a problem, and assured he would work on budgeting for this important issue.

Four other queries went to the protocol because the MKs were not present for the minister’s response.

Queries to Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.)

The Minister answered 11 of the 23 queries, while the rest went straight to the protocol.

The minister answered MK Ben-Ari’s query on why the police uses more force on religious people and settlers during protests than they do on seculars (bikers, for instance). The minister disclosed details about the specific protest that was discussed in the query and rejected the general claim that the police show favoritism. MK Ben-Ari asked why the police are punishing protesters when it is only their duty to arrest them. The minister expressed that in each case the commanding officer has his own considerations, and the minister can’t compare two cases effectively.

MK Ben-Ari’s second query was on the Arab protest in Lod where MKs called for the destruction of the State of Israel. The minister defended that there were no laws broken during the protest. MK Ben-Ari said he has video evidence and police testimony that shows otherwise. The minister agreed to watch the tape.

MK Ben-Ari’s third query was on the subject of sentences given to individuals who injure public officials. The MK questioned why the man who threw a shoe at the Supreme Court Justice had an indictment within a day, while the woman who injured him was never indicted. The minister corrected that the woman received two indictments; they just came at a later time. The MK criticized the minister for not updating him on the progress of the investigation and that it took a query on the Knesset floor to get real answers. The minister chose not to respond further.

MK Ben-Ari’s fourth query was on the incitement of violence on the temple mount. The minister defended the police who chose not to involve themselves in a very delicate sensitive matter. MK Ben-Ari questioned why rabbis are held to a different standard than imams. The minister said he would look into the specific situation discussed.

The minister answered MK Azulai’s (Shas) query on the current crime wave in Tel Aviv by the illegal African refugee population. The minister quoted many statistics that the number of cases opened by the police has decreased over the last year and therefore there is no crime wave in Tel Aviv.

MK Azulai’s second query was on the subject of over 160 files opened up against elected officials from 2007-2009. MK Eldad laughed that half of those were against Olmert. The minister said he didn’t know how many of the files were closed, but many never reached trial for different reasons.

MK Azulai’s third query was on the conditions of the Migrash Harusim jail in Jerusalem. The minister answered that in 2007 the jail was transferred from the police to the prison authority and currently has a capacity of 314 prisoners. A third of the cells were renovated in 2009, and more plans are on the way.

The minister answered MK Chotobeli’s query on the destruction of a shul in Nachliel. The minister reported that the torah and books were removed before the shul was destroyed. The MK accused the minister of not following the rules passed by the justice committee regarding the evacuation of outposts. The minister said he was aware of the laws, and not to worry.

The minister answered MK Vaknin’s (Shas) query about the increase of neo-nazi activity in Haifa. Recently, three people were arrested in two separate incidents. The minister cited the number of cases opened in the last five years, as follows: 2005- 2, 2006- 1, 2007- 23, 2008- 1, 2009- 8.

The minister answered MK Ariel’s query about the limitations of the traditional walk around the walls on Jerusalem Day. The minister said the march of 1,500-2,000 citizens needs the protection of 200 policemen. The limitations were also placed because of the vandalism that has transpired in past years. The minister added that the Lions Gate must be kept open for traffic for ambulances, and therefore the route had to be adjusted.

The minister answered MK Eldad’s query on the disruption of Jewish prayers in Jaffa. The minister said that the police are heavily involved in the case and that the MK shouldn’t worry. The MK replied that those who pray Shabbat morning and get hosed inside their shul by Arab neighbors should be the ones the minister addresses that to.

12 other queries went to the protocol because the MKs were not present for the minister’s response.

Other Notes:

The Knesset voted 46-0 in favor of transferring an internal matter from the Knesset house committee to a relevant committee.

How would I summarize Wednesday’s exhausting session that was 15 minutes short of 8 hours? Well we had 6 bills, the first 3 passed and the next 3 were defeated. 9 of the 11 motions were approved, with one being defeated and one not requiring a vote. We had queries addressed towards several ministries. The hot issues of the week were all discussed and interesting figures exposed that 93% of Israel’s academic staff are Ashkenazi Jews made news as well.

Speaker Rivlin opened the session marking Ron Arad’s 51^st birthday.

Query for Infrastructure Minister Landau (Y.B.) on the Druze – gas line crisis.

MK Ezra (Kadima) surprisingly supported the government decision on the pipe line and expressed hope for a just outcome for the Druze who lost their land. MK Walhaba (Kadima) charged that the government caused the riots by leaving the negotiating table and not offering the Druze farmers anything. MK Asana (Ra’am-Ta’al) asked why the government allowed the start of the construction before coming to an agreement that would compensate the Druze.

Minister Landau (Y.B.) explained the gas line will save the government a million nis a day and lower the pollution of the area. In the same area there will be additional construction for both an extension of route 6 and a new railway line. He explained that the government tried to come to an agreement but they raised their demands after an agreement was made. The minister expressed there is only so far he could go to accommodate them citing that the law forbids him from giving the land owners the amount of money they are asking for. He explained that negations were held for over a year, and even the prime-minister got involved with this issue. Landau expressed that some of the land owners did sign deals and were compensated and assured the government will live up to those deals. He finished by stressing his belief that even a Druze minister would come to the same decision in his place.

Other Queries

MK Tibi (Ra’am-Ta’al) criticized Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) for refusing to show up for his query. Speaker Rivlin said he had authorized the query, condemned Yishai’s actions, and announced that he will force Yishai to answer it next week. Tibi explained frustration five minutes later that Yishai was drinking coffee outside, refusing to come inside and mocking him.

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) asked Justice Minister Neeman why citizens are not given access to information on land they inherited. MK Asana and MK Levin (Likud) supported Maklev’s words and criticized Neeman for not doing more on the matter. Minister Neeman read a very long answer that explained the government does not need to do anything in these matters, and it is the citizen’s responsibility. He then expressed his plan to change the issue in the future, adding he will try to upload the information to the internet in order to make things easier.

Consumer Protection Bill

MK Maklev explained that his bill would permit delaying the deadlines on credit cards payments to flexible future dates. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Orit Noked (Labor) praised the bill that would forbid the bank from taking money every 2^nd of the month and would adapt the ways accustomed to in America. The bill passed 38-0 in its preliminary reading, thanks to the government’s support of the bill.

Deputies of the Speaker of the House Bill

MK Levin: Today we have 7 deputies, but we wish to extend the number to 9. Speaker Rivlin said 7 was too much and expressed his objections to the bill yet assured he would support the government and vote in favor. The Speaker warned that he planned on attending the house committee meeting to express his feelings of dropping the bill. 30 voted for, 21 voted against, and the bill was passed in its preliminary reading. Speaker Rivlin said he supported the MKs allowed to vote against the bill.

Bill that will force reporting to Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee on the activities of the Departments of Families Rehabilitation and Commemoration of the Ministry of Defense

MK Yisrael Chason (Kadima) explained that his bill would force more defense departments to answer to the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee.

Deputy Minister of Defense Vilnai (Labor) expressed the government approval of the bill, yet wishes that the bill be sent to the house committee for further discussion. The bill passed the preliminary reading 65-0.

Holocaust Survivors Right Bill

Minister Braverman (Labor) spoke in the name of the finance minister, stating the government has already given 1.5 billion nis towards the issue, but this bill would cost another 2 billion nis that the government can’t afford for the 250,000 people who would fit into the new category under this bill. MK Solodkin (Kadima) said the numbers being talked about are 5,000 people and that very little money is needed. She charged that the finance ministry was providing false figures in order to kill the bill.

The bill was defeated by a safe margin of 28 votes for and 56 votes against, while 36 MKs chose not to be present for the vote.

Veterans Absorption Bill Regarding Participation in Tuition (2 Bills)

MK Pelsner (Kadima) explained his bill would give the first year of university free to every soldier who served a full term, not just combat soldiers. He criticized all the young Likud MKs who campaigned for this bill and now are about to vote against it. MK Eldad (N.U.) expressed his bill goes further than Pelsner’s bill and calls to pay for half of each soldier’s first degree. He added that we have fewer soldiers today because we offer fewer incentives.

Deputy Minister Gamliel answered in the name of the defense ministry, that the government had suggested the same exact bill in September and voted for preparing the bill for a Knesset reading. In December MK Pelsner decided to copy the bill for political purposes. The government plans on defeating this bill and proposing its own bill in a few weeks after it is completed. Gamliel added that the government has plenty of other bills intended to assist the younger generation.

Eldad responded that he submitted his bill in both the 16^th and 17^th Knessets and now in the 18^th Knesset back in March 2009. Eldad asked: “Who wants the credit? Gamliel? Pelsner? I don’t want the credit! I want the help the soldiers. This shouldn’t be an opposition bill or a coalition bill; this should be a Knesset bill.” Eldad asked the government to work together with him on the bill. The government refused and asked their MKs to defeat both bills.

The first bill was defeated 29 to 51 with 40 MKs choosing not be present for the vote. The second bill was defeated 15 for 33 against with 1 abstention.

Motion #1: Thousands of Jews from Europe have signed a petition condemning the West Bank construction policies morally and politically wrong

MK Amsalam (Shas) criticized the Jews who signed the petition as not being loyal to the state of Israel. MK Avraham-Balilah (Kadima) said that neither side wants to see the current talks go anywhere and labeled the European Jews confused with Bibi’s direction. She expressed that other organizations such as J-Street are dangerous. MK Tzarzur (Ra’am-Ta’al) asked if every Jew who speaks out against the government is automatically anti-Zionistic. MK Eldad (N.U.) asked how a petition of 3,000 liberal Jews ended up in the media’s hands. Eldad wasn’t surprised, charging that throughout the years there have always been groups masquerading as Zionists, and there have been similar petitions by these groups from the holocaust all the way until the second Lebanon war. MK Bensimon (Labor) criticized Eldad’s speech citing the freedom of speech and announced his support of the petition. MK Gilon (Meretz) also criticized Eldad, stating that not everyone who disagrees with him is anti-Zionistic. Gilon also announced his support of the petition. MK Wilf (Labor) asked everyone to respect the petition and see what we can learn from it. Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon (Y.B.) gave a speech talking about the glass being half full that led nowhere.

The Knesset voted 8-3 and will discuss the matter further in the Foreign and Defense Affairs Committee.

Motion #2: Tel Aviv Mayor Huldai’s comments on the ultra-Orthodox education system.

Former education ministry director-general and current MK Tirosh (Kadima) explained that in a few years the majority of the Israeli school system will be charedi and Arab. She asked the charedim what solution they offer to the future. MKs Orbach (J.H.), MK Ze’evi (Shas), MK Amsalam (Shas), MK Vaknin (Shas), MK Gafni (U.T.J.) and MK Ben-Ari (N.U.) all spoke out criticizing Huldai and the status of secular education. MK Maklev (U.T.J.) added that it was secular kids who set fire to shuls. MK Horovitz (Meretz) supported Huldai and supported discounting both charedi and public religious schools. MK Mula (Kadima) supported compromise. MK Wilf announced that she was a proud Tel Avivan. Minister of Education Sa’ar (Likud) praised Tel Aviv and said that in his opinion Huldai had grounds for his words.

The Knesset voted 14-1 to transfer the discussion to the Education Committee.

Motion #3: Criminal employed by a manpower company was hired to protect a sick child

MK Levi-Abukasis (Y.B.) said she was upset the law does not prevent such issues. MK Amnon Cohen (Shas) spoke out and supported the motion. Justice Minister Neeman stated the current legal status of the issue and assured that changes in the law are on their way. He praised the two MKs.

The Knesset voted 5-0 to transfer the motion to the Law and Justice Committee.

Motion #4: Financial crisis of the Euro and the influence on the Israeli economy

MK Wahba (Kadima) expressed his fears. MK Peretz (Labor) predicted that there will be a new financial crisis soon. Minister Braverman (Labor) answered in the name of the finance minister, that the Euro was an experiment that crashed because of countries like Greece. Braverman assured that Israel has no reason to worry and that the current crisis will not affect us.

The matter was transferred to the Funds Committee by a margin of 5-0.

Motion #5: More than 90 percent of academic staff in Israel is Ashkenazi Jews and most of them men

MK Gafni corrected the figure to 93%, asking where the equality was. MK Tibi brought the same statistics and added that of the 7% who are not Ashkenazi Jews only 1% are Arabs. MK Bensimon (Labor) and MK Zachalka (Balad) both joined the criticism of the statistic. Minister Sa’ar responded that charedim and Arabs and are allowed to apply for the same jobs and suggested they produce alternatives to Ashkenazi males.

The matter was sent to the education committee by a vote of 8-0.

Motion #6: Comments attributed to Minister of Education that teachers should serve in their position no more than ten years

MK Ben-Ari condemned the words, while Minister Sa’ar claimed he was misquoted. The matter will be discussed further in the education committee following the 5-1 vote.

Motion #7: The PA imposed a boycott of Israeli products and reactions are required on the part of Israel

MK Eldad suggested copying the anti-boycott law from the U.S. in order to fight the situation. MK Ben-Ari suggested the matter be discussed in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Deputy Minister of Labor and Trade Noked (Labor) defended the government’s decision not to act in this case for the sake of the peace process. Deputy Speaker Tibi cut the MKs speeches short, mocked the motion and argued the boycott is only for products from settlements and therefore should not be discussed at all.

The motion was defeated by a 2 to 5 vote.

Motion #8: Classification of national priority areas

MK Tzartzuar blasted the government for not including Arab areas in the plan. Minister of Minorities Braverman (Labor) agreed with Tzartzuar, yet stated he was influencing the government on this matter. The matter was sent to the Interior Committee following a 6-0 vote.

Motion #9: Rise of charedi students in Jerusalem

MK Maklev cited that 40% of the students in Jerusalem are charedi and there should be more schools for them. Minister of Construction and Housing Attias (Shas) agreed and promised to work towards more houses and more schools for the charedi community. They agreed not to bring the matter up for a vote.

Motion #10: Representation of Arabs in Social Security

Zuabi (Balad) asked that the matter that a Jew was named the head of the Social Security office in the Arab city of Nazareth be discussed in the committee of Labor and Social Affairs. Minister Nahari (Shas) answered in the name of the Welfare Minister that they had interviewed Arabs, but the Jew gave the best interview and that is why he got the job.

The 6 MKs in the room approved the motion and sent it to the committee.

Motion #11: Promotion of planning and construction in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria

MK Ariel (N.U.) condemned Shas for allowing the current situation to happen. Ariel condemned Bibi for the freeze of public buildings, shuls and mikvaot in Jerusalem as well at the settlements, against his own words. Minister of Planning and Construction Attias (Shas) expressed that Defense Minister Barak is holding this up, not his ministry. Attais confessed there has not been any marketing of Jerusalem neighborhoods since December 2009, and has slowed down dramatically starting in 2006.

The 3 MKs in the room (Ariel, Attias and Deputy Speaker Maklev) approved the motion and sent it to the Interior Committee for further discussion.

Shailtot for Justice Minister Neeman

MK Ben-Ari questioned about disciplining a judge and MK Maklev questioned about a government worker who refused to say “lashon harah” on his co-workers. Minister Neeman said it is not the ministry’s job to address either situation.

Other Notes:

Earlier in the day Speaker Rivlin greeted Cyprus’s President and Speaker of the House Mr. Marios Garoyian with a warm speech.

The short session of 2 hours and 40 minutes could be summarized like this: 26 one minute speeches, along with a vote on one summary and one bill. Most of the one minute speeches seemed to be extensions of yesterday’s topics. MKs Ariel and Eldad’s (N.U.) allegations against Defense Minister Ehud Barak (Labor) was the only topic that could be considered news. You really can’t expect more from an agenda of 3 topics; by comparison, tomorrow 37 topics will be discussed.

One Minute Speeches

The most popular issues discussed by the 26 speakers were the Holyland affair, the destruction of illegal homes in Tibeh and the Druze riots. MK Bielski (Kadima) was the first to criticize the political corruption of the Holyland affair. MK Ezra (Kadima) joined the Holyland bashing as well. MK Finyain (Likud) bashed Holyland, then surprised everyone by speaking very sharply against the government’s Wisconsin plan as well. MK Yachomovitz (Labor) spoke in support of MK Finyain’s rant against the government in regards to both Wisconsin and Holyland. MK Chanin (Chadash) criticized the destruction of illegal homes in Tibeh. Chanin also announced his support of the protests by the Druze community over the new gas line that has begun to be constructed in their area. MK Zoabi (Balad) and MK Tibi (Ra’am-Ta’al) condemned the destruction of all illegal Arab homes in Israel. MK Walhaba (Kadima) demanded that the government fix the situation with the Druze and the gas pipe. MK Levin (Likud) questioned why Israel destroys every illegal Jewish home while, despite this week’s evictions, thousands of illegal Arab homes remain.

Many domestic issues were addressed. MK Ariel was surprised that Defense Minister Barak allegedly engaged in political blackmail by securing votes for his laws in return for assistance on the Givat Hayoel neighborhood issue. He labeled Barak’s attempts “Political Prostitution” and questioned the democratic integrity of such a move. MK Eldad said he had encountered the same issue today in a separate committee. He blasted Barak for his alleged blackmail and also attacked former prime-minister Olmert for his role in the Holyland affair, calling the corruption “Prime-Minister Size”. MK Mula (Kadima) talked about racial issues against the Ethiopians in the education systems of Emenual, Bet Shemesh and Be’er Sheva. MK Bensimon (Labor) admitted that Israel screwed up the absorption of Ethiopians, citing the Kiryat Melachi affair during which the city refused to absorb any Ethiopians into the city and they remained outside the city limits for a shabbat. Bensimon asked us to do better with today’s education issue. MK Magadleh (Labor) discussed violence in schools. MK Cabel (Labor) mentioned a few issues with the Milium bill. MK Ganem (Ra’am-Ta’al) talked about the status of the education in the Arab sector, while MK Orbach (J.H.) chose to talk about the status of the religious public schools. MK Wilf (Labor) read another letter supporting her fight for stronger protection of teachers at the expense of students. MK Amsalam (Shas) condemned both Gazit and Huldai for their incitement against charedim. MK Ben Ari (N.U.) taught us from Parshat Hashevuah Behar that we should apply the balance of capitalism (free trade) and socialism (yovel).

Only six MKs chose to discuss foreign affairs. MK Regev (Likud) warned of the danger Hizbolah poses now that they are receiving weapons via Iran. MK Ketzeleh (N.U.) suggested a commission by הצג סקריפט אנגלי the State Comptroller about the situation in Lebanon. MK Peretz (Labor) talked about the need to strengthen the relationships with the leaders of France and Italy. MK Shai (Kadima) suggested upgrading the talks with the Palestinians to direct talk status. MK Tirosh (Kadima) stated that Gilad Shalit is waiting for his release and we need to find a way to release him. MK Smelov-Berkovitz (Kadima) proposed that Israel should host more international festivals in order to improve our international standing, citing one that was held recently that did just that.

Vote on the summaries from the State Comptroller Report

MK Yoel Chason (Kadima), Chairman of the State Control Committee, was very pleased that in 98% of the cases the criticized parties agreed to take responsibility and change things for the better. Chason also criticized the government for torpedoing most of the committee’s reforms. 6 Kadima MKs (Walhaba, Schneller, Mula, Shai, Ezra and Tirosh) spoke in favor of Chason and his summaries. MK Chanin (Chadash) praised Chason and the report specifically in regards to public transportation and the train to Jerusalem. MK Eldad (N.U.) supported the State Comptroller; trash talked Kadima, and reminded everyone how Olmert trashed the State Comptroller throughout his administration. MK Ze’ev (Shas) confessed that in most cases the government wants to implement the decisions but lacks the budget to do so. The summary was passed by the MKs in the room 8-0.

Vote on the State Economic Arrangements Bill

The bill submitted by MK Hanegbi (Kadima) would reduce municipal taxes on residential property used by mentally challenged people. MK Ze’ev (Shas) said this was a good first step, but we should go further and give more rights to mentally challenged people. The bill easily passed 11-0 in its first reading.

The Knesset session took just under 3 hours and 15 minutes this afternoon. We had two defeated non-confidence votes, two votes that widened Minister Begin’s role in the government, the unanimous passing of the Veterans Absorption bill into law, the passing of the Criminal Procedure Bill in its first reading and responses from the Minister of Religious Affairs to queries from three MKs. It was a less than exciting day. The main reason for this was the Ministerial Committee of Legislative Affairs’ rejection of 22 of the 25 bills submitted yesterday and subsequent withdrawal of the bills by their MKs.  The committee approved two bills and took no stance on one.

Two No-Confidence Votes

The first motion of no confidence was on behalf of Kadima, claiming the prime minister has turned the public broadcasting into a political broadcasting station and is forcing employees to use public broadcasting as a tool for absolute rule. The second motion was submitted by three parties (Balad, Ra’am – Ta’al and Chadash) on the subject of the state of the education system in east Jerusalem.

MK Nachman Shai (Kadima), who submitted the first motion, expressed it was a pity that Bibi had still failed to appoint a minister after Edelstein’s (Likud) removal.  A petition of 52 MKs agreed someone should be appointed and Speaker Rivlin said he was the 53rd. Shai claimed that it is a fact that there is no chairman or board of directors, which just enhances Netanyahu’s power. MK Smelov-Berkovitz (Kadima) spoke in support of the no-confidence motion and called on others to do the same. MK Zachalka (Balad) who proposed the second motion to bring down the government would watch the other MKs criticize the government on various issues. MK Yachomovitz (Labor) chose to talk about Bank of Israel report, while MK Sarsur (Ra’am-Ta’al) talked about the pending destruction of illegal homes in Arab villages. MK Barekah (Chadash) asked why Bibi wants to talk, if he is not offering the Palestinians anything creative. MK Ben Ari (N.U.) quoted a Tosefta: “Whoever kills one, history shows he will kill more than one”. The MK slammed Bibi’s trip to Cairo and stated he couldn’t tell the difference between Likud and Kadima anymore.

MK Horovitz (Meretz) chose a different topic altogether and used his time to defend Tel Aviv mayor Ron Choldai’s words against charedim. He got back on topic and challenged that the Likud is hurting the education system more than Kadima ever did. He went back to charedi bashing by making clear his opposition to religious state school and support of full separation of religion and state. MK Gafni (U.T.J.) blasted Choldai’s words: “I don’t know one charedi who burns Israeli flags. The ones who do burn flags don’t vote in the elections and fight against me every election. In 2040 the candidates for prime minister will be me (Gafni), Litzman and Tibi. Stop the racism! I don’t blame Gabi Gazit or Ron Choldai for secular murders and rapists, I expect the same treatment.” The MK added that according to recent surveys Israeli firms are more likely to take Ethiopians, Russians and Arabs for jobs before they take charedim. Gafni concluded by saying: “I’m sick of you liars.” MK Orbach (J.H.) explained that because the government is strong, in order to criticize the government the opposition needs to attack charedim, because they lack anything else to talk about. He said he looks down on people who, instead of solving problems, find it easier to play the blame game.

Minister Meridor (Likud) responded to both motions. He blasted the Kadima party saying their claim was not a reason to bring down a government. The minister responded to the second by declaring there is no east Jerusalem, there is a united Jerusalem. Minister of Education Sa’ar (Likud) said he did extra work in Jerusalem and has recently had two meetings on the subject with Mayor Barkat. House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) began his response by slamming the first motion: “Once again a no confidence vote on nothing, no one is interested and everyone looks bored. Kadima caused the public broadcasting system issues, but you have to pick a subject. It is pathetic that this is the best you could come up with.” The MK proceeded to ridicule the second motion as well: “Where is the Libyan money for the education of east Jerusalem, well I guess you came back with nothing. Here’s a tip, if you go to another country bring back some money”. He concluded by saying both motions were ridiculous and the government will shortly defeat them. The first vote was defeated by a margin of 50 MKs against to 29 MKs for. 29 MKs were not present, and 12 MKs were present but chose not to vote. The second vote was defeated by a larger margin of 49 MKs against to 22 MKs for. 2 MKs abstained, and 47 MKs did not vote.

The government’s decision in accordance with Article 31 (b) of “Basic Law: The Government” regarding the transfer of powers of the Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman in certain cases to Minister Benny Begin.

The curious MK Wahba (Kadima) questioned why the government had made this decision over a year after it was formed. He also wondered about the possibility of conflicts of interest. MK Ze’ev (Shas) supported the idea but objected to transferring the power on matters related to racism. MK Ben Ari (N.U.) used this as another chance to blast the Netanyahu government.  The government decisions were approved by two votes: 41-1 and 42-1.

Veterans’ Absorption Bill

MK Chaim Katz explained the bill, which would allow injured soldiers who are released early to receive the full benefits of a three year service.  It easily passed 33-0 in its second reading. After passing 32-0 in its third reading it became law.

Criminal Procedure Bill

Minister Meridor (Likud) explained the bill, which would speed up the judicial process in certain cases by defining due process, thereby taking certain cases out of the government consultants’ hands.  MK Ze’ev (Shas) warned this bill will strengthen the police investigators and weaken the district attorneys.  MK Ben Ari (N.U) talked about a different subject, the recent Arab pogrom which destroyed 44 graves in Kibbutz Merchavia.  Chairman of the Law and Justice Committee MK Rotem (Y.B.) said it was a bad bill that he intended to crush in the committee and not to worry.  This ended the discussion and the bill was passed in its first reading 11-0. It is expected to be torpedoed in the committee.

3 Queries for Minister of Religious Affairs Margi

The first topic was why the mikvah and synagogue for the yishuv Maskiot in the Jordan Valley, made up entirely of Gush Katif evacuees, had not been approved. MK Levin (Likud) asked why Israel had to act like the former Soviet Union, demanding that Maskiot should be an exception to the rule and work should begin immediately. Minister Margi said he needed to follow the set procedures, and by making exceptions, he’d be showing favoritism.

The second topic was on the need to pay arnona for cemeteries within city limits. MK Orbach (J.H.) asked if the matter was being implemented and if something could be done to change the law. Minister Margi agreed with Orbach, citing other government ministries who are preventing him from forbidding it. That said, he assured that the law is not implemented anywhere in Israel. The minister agreed this was among the most absurd rules he had ever seen and they would have to propose a law against it to remove its current legal status.

The third query on the subject of mikvaot in Jerusalem by MK Katzeleh (N.U.) was submitted to the protocol, because the MK was not in attendance.