Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Tuesday’s session lasted about three hours. Three bills were discussed and advanced after passing their first readings. A motion on Appreciation Day for the reserve soldiers was moving. The Modeling Industry Weight Limit Bill was among three bills that were advanced as Netanyahu was giving his Congress speech.

Non-Bills Summary

• 23 MKs spoke during the one minute speech segment of the day. The main topic was the MKs’ analysis of Netanyahu’s AIPAC speech and what the MKs thought Netanyahu should say later that evening in his speech to the U.S. Congress.
• Speaker Rivlin greeted a delegation of the European Parliament dialogue team.
• A motion on Appreciation Day for the reserve soldiers was discussed by Speaker Rivlin, Minister and former General Peled (Likud), Strategic Affairs Minister and former IDF Chief of Staff Ya’alon (Likud), Defense Minister and former IDF Chief of Staff Barak (Independence), MK and former IDF Spokeswoman Regev (Likud), MK and former IDF Chief of Staff Mofaz (Kadima), reserve officer Cabel (Labor), MK Orbach (J.H.) and injured war hero and deputy platoon commander from the 1973 Yom Kippur War Katzeleh (N.U.).  All of the speeches involved thanking the reserve soldiers for their service.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Joint Investment Trust Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained his amendment would require the publishing of joint investment trust prospectuses in the national newspapers.

The bill passed its first reading 5-0 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

Amendment to the Propaganda Elections Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained his amendment would allow election advertising on regional radio for regional council campaigns. He noted that until now only national radio could air election advertisements and this will allow the regional radio stations to increase their income.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) noted that he was talking to an empty room because Netanyahu was giving his Congress speech. He slammed Obama and his recent speech, which he said would put Israel into a cage. He blasted Netanyahu for giving up too much in his AIPAC speech and suggested Bibi was selling the country away.

MK Zeev (Shas) supported the bill. He blasted MK Molla (Kadima) for slandering the city rabbis in a morning committee meeting and told Molla not to slander a position that he doesn’t know. He said that city rabbis act as psychologists, doctors, confidants and more, and they deserve a pay raise.

The bill passed its first reading 7-0 and was sent to the Law Committee.

Modeling Industry Weight Limit Bill

MK Adatto (Kadima) reported that every year another 1,500 Israeli teenagers are diagnosed with eating disorders. She cited university studies that link eating disorders with media, mostly female models in commercials, billboards and magazines. She announced that it starts as a diet and ends in death. She explained that her bill would prohibit skinny girls with a BMI of less than 18.5 from modeling. She added that the bill would prohibit publishing photoshopped pictures that aren’t labeled as such. Deputy Speaker Maklev (U.T.J.) praised Adatto for her bill.

MK Ben Ari praised and supported what he labeled an important bill. He blasted Netanyahu for agreeing to a Palestinian state and told the story of child terror victims who were murdered by the “moderate” Fatah party.

MK Zeev praised the bill and spoke about the dangers of eating disorders that can lead to death. He connected it to Ben Ari’s speech and said that he hoped Netanyahu doesn’t give Israel anorexia by giving away parts of Israel to the Palestinians.

The bill passed its first reading 5-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Monday’s session lasted about three hours. Two bills were discussed, and both were advanced in their first readings. The first bill will prohibit the discriminatory practice of not accepting a student to a school on the grounds of his country of origin. The second bill will allow committee members of the Begin and Rabin centers to serve three terms instead of just one. An interesting discussion surrounding MIA soldier Majdi Halabi was debated by a few MKS. Most of the MKs did not bother showing up to the plenum for the day while the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader both visited the United States. There were no no-confidence votes.

Non-Bills Summary

• The marking of the six-years anniversary of soldier Majdi Halabi being missing in action was discussed by Speaker Rivlin, Minister Peled (Likud) and 5 MKs. The main topic was that Halabi’s family has chosen a different path than the family of POW soldier Gilad Shalit.
• Speaker Rivlin welcomed to the Knesset the Foreign Affairs Committee delegation of Croatia.
• National Infrastructure Minister Landau (Y.B.) announced the transfer of various government authorities from Industry and Trade Minister Simhon (Independence) to his office.
• Four motions were discussed. One was sent to committee by a 13-0 vote. The other three were not voted on.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Student Rights Bill

Education, Culture and Sport Committee Chairman Miller (Y.B.) explained his amendment to prohibit the discrimination of not accepting a student to a school on the grounds of country of origin. He expressed frustration that in this century a bill like this is needed. He pointed out several excuses mayors and principals find in order to prevent minority groups from joining their schools.

MK Molla (Kadima) praised and supported the bill. He listed cases of discrimination against the Ethiopians in particular and expressed hope this bill would be completed as soon as possible.

MK Ezra (Kadima) supported the bill. He said he was worried that teachers would fail students on purpose as a type of discrimination. He concluded by praising the national religious school system, which accepts everybody and receives the highest academic marks.

The bill passed its first reading 11-0 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Amendment to the Memorial Centers in memory of Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Rabin Bill

House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) explained that his amendment has two parts. He said the first part is meant to force the centers to maintain the museum that honors the former prime ministers in order to qualify for government funding. He said the second part is meant to allow committee members of the centers to serve three three-year terms as opposed to a single three year term as they do today. He questioned the logic in preventing people who knew and worked alongside Begin and Rabin from seeking re-election to their posts.

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

Last Wednesday’s session lasted about seven and a half hours. Nine bills were discussed. Two bills were advanced after passing their preliminary readings, four were defeated, two were turned into motions to avoid defeat and one was pulled to avoid defeat. Both bills advanced deal with consumer protection from the cell phone companies. A special meeting marking the anniversary of the victory over the Nazis was attended by a great majority of the MKs.

Non-Bill Summary

• Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) and Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) answered urgent queries at the beginning of the session.
• A special meeting was held to mark the 66^th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. Prime Minister Netanyahu, Opposition Leader Livni, holocaust survivor Minister Peled (Likud), Aliya Minister Landver (Y.B.) and MKs Eichler (U.T.J.) and MK Barakeh (Hadash) all gave speeches on the subject.
• Seven motions were discussed on a variety of topics. All of the issues will be discussed further in committee following votes of 20-0, 16-0, 14-0, 12-0, 8-2, 6-0 and 6-0.

Bills Summary

Two Amendments to the Consumer Protection Bill

MK Ariel (N.U.) explained that his amendment would force the cell phone companies to record and publish all ongoing communication conditions and deals. He added that it would force the cell phone companies to provide the consumer with financial compensation of NIS 1,000 for each error in incorrect billing. He stated the point of the bill is to give the cell phone companies incentive not to make mistakes and if they do make mistakes they are the ones who should pay for it, not the consumers.

MK Levy-Abekasis (Y.B.) stated that the law must meet the changing demands of reality. She explained that her similar amendment would force the cell phone companies to record telephone transactions. She noted that the problem is that the consumer does not have protection because he does not have anything in writing. She hoped that the recordings of the telephone transactions will help protect the consumer from companies taking advantage of them. She said that her bill will allow the consumer to demand that the company send the audio file of when the transaction was completed. She concluded by mentioning that both her and Ariel’s bills have been law in America and Europe for some time.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ya’alon (Likud) expressed government support for both bills.

Both bills passed their preliminary readings 33-0 and 37-0. After being merged they were sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) explained that his amendment would add the discrimination of religion, ethnic background or city to the definition of racism under Israeli law. He read several quotes from various media outlets that spread incitement, racism and anti-Semitism against ultra-orthodox people, settlers in Judea and Samaria and Jewish minority groups such as Russians and Ethiopians. He asked how Israeli society could tolerate such things. He quoted MKs, radio broadcasters and journalists who said things such as “the national religious people are Nazis”, “in certain settlements we need to kill every last settler”, “the ultra-orthodox should be eliminated and we should take away their citizenship” and “we will drink the blood of Jews during Passover”.

Justice Minister Neeman expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that the government stands by the existing law that says racism is only defined as racism if the individual calls for violence. He was heckled by several MKs during his response.

MK Shamalov Berkovich (Kadima) slammed the government for opposing the bill and slammed the Kadima party for opposing the bill that she co-sponsored. She blasted the Justice Minister for not responding to any of the examples MK Ben Ari gave of racism. She announced she is not allowed to vote for her bill but asked the MKs to vote in favor of it.

The bill was defeated 4-55 with MK Shamalov Berkovich abstaining.

Basic Studies in the Education System Bill

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) explained that the bill would require all state-funded schools and private schools to teach the core basic studies. He named his core five subjects: Tanach and Jewish heritage with Muslims and Christians learning about their faiths, History and Civics, Hebrew, Math and Science, and English. He slammed the ultra-orthodox for forcing the government to oppose this bill. He suggested that because they learn all day they should be able to find time for five more subjects over the course of a week. He warned of a new generation that does not have the basic knowledge needed to enter the workforce. He noted in 1960 61% of students were in the public system. In 2000 it dropped to 40%, and in 2008 it dropped again to 39%. He revealed that in 2010 it dropped to an all-time low of 36%, compared to 52% that were learning in private ultra-orthodox or Arab schools. He said that according to the Taub institute in 2040 only 14% of Israeli students will be in the public school system compared to 78% in the private ultra-orthodox and Arab schools. He blasted these private schools that do not teach science, history, civics or Jewish heritage. He slammed the schools for not educating their students to go to the army or preparing them to get a job in the workforce. He recalled that during his time as education minister he saw the radical Islam movement take over a lot of Arab schools. He called on the Knesset to support his bill.

Environmental Minister Erdan (Likud) noted that the core subjects were taught throughout the history of Israel until former Prime Minister Olmert changed it under the watch of Labor Education Minister Tamir. He remarked it was interesting that a Kadima MK is blaming the Likud for a problem that Kadima created. Erdan noted that schools that don’t teach the core subjects are only budgeted 60%-75% as opposed to public schools who receive 100%. He noted the percentage is based on the number of core subjects they teach.

MK Sheetrit blasted Shas whose MKs went into the army and refused to send their children. He slammed the government, which, he claimed, allows half of Israel’s children not to receive an education. He noted that he was just supposed to be a co-sponsor of the bill. He revealed this was MK Hotovely’s (Likud) bill but she had to remove her name due to government pressure.

The bill was defeated 22-47.

Amendment to the Civil Defense Bill

MK Shai (Kadima) explained his amendment would force the government to distribute gas mask kits to the entire population. He thanked his 28 co-sponsors. He noted that from 1990 until recently every house was allocated a gas mask for each person. He revealed that according to the army the government has only released enough funds for the next two years to protect 55% of the public. He added that by the end of 2012 the number of functional gas masks per population will drop to 40%. He stated that 25% of the population currently does not have a gas mask or secured room.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ya’alon expressed government opposition to the bill on the grounds that it would cost the State one billion shekels. He revealed that, personally, he is against handing out gas masks all together. He stated that Israel is one of only a few nations that still hands out gas masks and stressed his opinion that secured rooms are more important and effective. He mentioned that the best defense is offense.

The bill was defeated 15-41.

Amendment to the Youth Bill

MK Soldokin (Kadima) explained that her amendment would give extended family preference over foster care when it comes to the care and supervision of children that are taken out of their family’s homes. She stressed that uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents will do a better job raising the children then foster families or social services. She noted that foster care leads to kids losing their extended family along with their parents. She noted that religious kids are sometimes put in secular families and lose their tradition. She reported that an entire generation of children has grown up in this fashion without any connection to their real families or heritage.

Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon (Likud) stressed that the child’s best interest is what is important, not the family’s best interest. He explained that the family is not always best for the child.

MK Solodkin said that this was the type of poor excuse she heard from ministers in her previous country of residence, the Soviet Union.

The bill was defeated 8-30 with one MK abstaining.

Motion/Amendment to the Local Authorities Bill

MK Bielski (Kadima) explained that his amendment would allow mayors to expand the enforcement of public order by giving more authority to city inspectors. He recalled when he was elected mayor of Ra’anana he learned that he had the power to change the city’s education, culture, environment and more but that the police and crime fighting was the one area where he had no power. He had many traffic jams, and the police wouldn’t direct traffic, so Bielski took it upon himself to get trained by the police to direct traffic. He explained that after seven years he got certified as a city inspector and he directed traffic in his city when no police officer could be found. He noted that there are 28,340 police officers for almost eight million citizens and that 40,000 officers are needed. He stated that each officer costs the country NIS 222,000 annually and that is why no one will agree to hire more. He said city inspectors only cost NIS 60,000 per year. He presented a solution of expanding the powers of city inspectors in order to lower the burden on the police. He noted that his bill would give the same powers to city inspectors as those given in the United States.

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) explained there is a pilot project in thirteen cities of “city cops” a new position whose responsibilities lie somewhere between police officers and city inspectors. He revealed that twelve more cities will join the pilot this year. He stated that this way the mayors still won’t control the police in their city. He said that he is also planning on giving city inspectors more authority, but only after he learns the outcomes of his “city cop” project. He stressed replacing police officers with city inspectors is wrong even if it is cheaper. He offered MK Bielski the opportunity to turn the bill into a motion. Bielski agreed.

The motion passed 23-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Local Authorities Elections Bill

MK Naffaa (Balad) explained his amendment would restrict candidates who have a debt of property tax or water payments to be elected to local authorities. He asked how someone can be a part of the process if they refuse to pay their part. He noted during their re-election campaign they would be receiving government funds, even though they refuse to pay their debt to their city. Naffaa decided to pull the bill to avoid defeat.

Motion/Amendment to the Water Bill

MK Barakeh (Hadash) explained his amendment would return the supervision and control of agriculture water rates to the Funds Committee. He announced that it was once in the hand of the committee and it was taken away and given to the ministers to decide. He slammed the high water rates as a result of the privatization of the country’s water resources. He confessed that, as the leader of Israel’s communist party, he is against the privatization of everything.

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch asked if Barakeh would turn the bill into a motion. He explained that Infrastructure Minister Landau wants to discuss the matter with him in the committee. Barakeh accepted the offer.

The motion was passed 32-0 and sent to the Funds Committee.

Last Tuesday’s session lasted about three hours. Two bills were discussed, and both passed in their first readings. A bill limiting how alcohol products are marketed and a bill on creating a committee charged with fighting hunger were both advanced.

Non-Bills Summary

• 22 MKs spoke during the one-minute speech segment that opened the day. The main topic was the MKs’ response to Netanyahu’s foreign policy speech the day before.
• Speaker Rivlin gave a warm speech to the Kazakhstan-Israel Friendship Society leaders.
• MK Eldad (N.U.) gave his report on the Knesset’s Middle East delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Athens. He noted that there was an interesting discussion on whether Jordan should be a Palestinian state and Bahrain surprisingly supported it.
• A motion on the 2011 Nakba Day events and their implications were discussed by nine MKs and summarized by Minister Peled (Likud). The Knesset rejected a proposal to discuss the matter further by a 2-5 vote among the handful of MKs who were left at the end of the day.

Bills Summary

National Council for Food Security Bill

MK Avraham Balila (Kadima) stated that 1.5 million Israelis live under the poverty line and her bill would create a 13-member committee reporting to the Labor and Welfare Minister to solve the hunger problem. She stressed that the lack of food is more critical than any other issue that poor people face and that should be the first issue the country solves for them. She rejected the country’s reliance on private and outside organizations that are doing the work the country should be doing itself. She noted that the committee would not be authorized to allocate funds but would be able to suggest to the minister that he allocate funds for feeding Israel’s citizens.

MK Ben-Ari (N.U.) recalled his childhood in the Hatikva neighborhood of Tel Aviv, where in the 1970’s some of his neighbors didn’t have electricity. He recalled his time as a teacher in Bet Shemesh in the 1980’s, when some of the students didn’t have money to buy socks and suffered frost bite in the winter. He expressed frustration that today in other cities similar problems still exist, such as people who don’t have enough money to buy beds. He stated the biggest problem is that there are people who don’t know how to ask for help because they don’t know they are entitled to certain privileges from the government.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) recalled his plan from seven years ago that would entitle poor citizens to food stamps and how Prime Minister Sharon opposed and defeated his bill. He went on to express his frustration with the housing shortage and asked the government to listen to him and not to wait seven years to suggest the same exact thing he did, like they did with this bill.

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) expressed his frustration about Israel’s poverty and expressed support for the bill.

MK Molla (Kadima) praised the bill and slammed the government for not feeding its citizens. He stated that the government should not rely on third parties to bail it out of its commitments. He stated he is in favor of big government.

MK Zeev (Shas) warned everyone that solving poverty will not happen in one day. He quoted the torah that states there will always be poor people. He recalled a situation when he was the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and a man from the Har Nof neighborhood was thrown in jail for not paying the water bill, leaving his wife and ten children without him or running water. Zeev paid the bill and had the man released. He noted many people today are thrown in jail for not paying utility bills and that preventing this occurrence is the easiest way to help the poor.

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

Limitation on the Advertising and Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages Bill

MK Danon (Likud) noted that between 50% and 60% of Israeli teens consume alcohol. He slammed those who market alcohol as cool to teenagers. He explained that the first part of the bill will prevent the alcohol companies from advertising or marketing their products with celebrities, athletes, models or any other person. He said that they will only be able to market their product with pictures of the product itself and by itself. He explained that the second part of the bill would put a warning on the label of the alcohol product that excessive drinking is dangerous for one’s health. He acknowledged that this will not prevent teens from drinking but said he hoped that it might limit it. He said it will also send a message that the government is against underage drinking.

MK Eichler noted that this is the first generation of Israelis who are drinking. He stated that these percentages did not exist a decade ago. He urged Danon to add a clause to ensure that underage drinking of wine for religious purposes would not be effected by this bill.

MK Ben-Ari recalled when he and Danon took a tour of downtown Jerusalem at two in the morning and spoke with drunken teens and the police who were sitting there did nothing to prevent the drinking. He recalled the soldiers who were drinking in their uniforms and the techniques they described for getting drunk faster and cheaper. He stated that the next generation is drunk and empty of principles and confessed he was worried about the future of this generation and the country. He praised the bill and expressed his support.

MK Levin (Likud) praised and supported the bill. He called for education to warn against underage drinking and drunkenness.

MK Zeev said that wine isn’t the problem but hard alcohol is. He questioned what the difference is between hard alcohol and other drugs, calling for it to be outlawed. He noted that in the United States the punishment for a drunken road accident death is 21 years in jail but that here in Israel the punishment is much less. He praised and supported the bill.

Deputy Speaker Danon added that in some states in the United States it is forbidden to sell alcohol on Sundays. He explained this was enacted so that no one showed up drunk to church.

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