Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Monday’s session was a little over two hours. The session was short due to the opposition’s tradition of not submitting motions of no-confidence as a measure of goodwill when the Prime Minister is abroad. The session also had no motions because of the Kadima MKs who chose instead to join the Gilad Shalit march in Tel-Aviv. The Knesset passed three bills, two in their third reading and one in its first. The Sexual Harassment Bill will change the way men act from now on.

Short Summary on Non-Bills

• Deputy Finance Minister Litzman requested to enact a continuity clause on a bill that will be voted on in two weeks.
• The Knesset passed a House Committee request to split a bill into two by a vote of 9-0.
• Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitz (Y.B.) had a question hour that was cut short by lack of interest.
• Environmental Minister Erdan (Likud) answered queries at the end of the session.

Amendment on the Preventing Sexual Harassment Bill

Women’s Rights Chairwoman MK Hotoveli (Likud) explained this was a revolutionary law. The current law states that a woman girl who is harassed must prove that she was harassed. The amendment will change the law so that the one who is charged as the harasser will be guilty, until proven innocent. The amendment will include rabbis and other spiritual leaders as public figures who can be prosecuted in this manner.

MK Orlev (J.H.) explained that his bill would lift the immunity of many public figures so that they can be prosecuted. He hinted that this bill was influenced by the police failure to convict Rabbi Mordechai Elon. He was saddened that the maximum punishment for this law is three years. Orlev explained this situation gave him motivation for the bill.

MK Shneller (Kadima) said that no one should be immune from being charged with sexual harassment, religious or otherwise. He said that he was pleased that his practically identical bill could be merged with Orlev’s.

The bill was passed in its second reading 11-0 and in its third reading 12-0.

Amendment on the Health Insurance Bill

MK Adato (Kadima) explained her amendment would allow kupat cholim patients to pay for the exact number of pills they receive in their prescription without having to pay for the whole package.

The bill was passed in its second reading 9-0 and in its third reading 9-0.

Amendment on the Lending Books Bill

Education Minister Saar (Likud) explained that his amendment would allow children to keep the books they receive from the school, in order to hand them down to their younger siblings when the time comes. He said that 1,100 schools are already part of the program and his amendment would make the measure available in all public schools. Saar said this went well with another recent bill which stated that the schools can only change textbooks once every five years. The minister hoped this would help families with many kids save money.

MK Michaeli (Y.B.) said that another bill which would create computer textbooks in place of the paper ones is on the way. Michaeli stated that every house has a computer.

MK Ganem (Ra’am-Ta’al) said this bill will strengthen the connection between the school system and the families of the students.

MK Ze’ev (Shas) said this bill will save paper. He went on to talk about Nir Barkat’s strategy concerning the planned King Park in Jerusalem.

MK Tibi (Ra’am-Ta’al) said that students are scarred for life if they don’t have money to pay for their books, and this law might make the difference in their lives.

MK Ben-Ari (N.U.) expressed that, as a teacher of 21 years and a father of seven, he will vote for the bill. Ben-Ari slammed the schoolbooks today that are more expensive and an environmental waste and that hurt the kids’ health by forcing them to carry the thick books on their backs. He argued that these new books have little purpose and are merely empty fill-in-the-blank books.

MK Orlev (J.H.), the Education Committee chairman, expressed his support for the bill and called on everyone to vote for it.

The bill passed in its first reading 14-0 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Last Wednesday was a seven and a half hour session. The Knesset voted against the government ethics bill and approved the Baka-Get split ‘superbill’ in its preliminary reading. Besides the superbill incorporating eight separate bills that were merged into one, there were six other bills. Two bills were passed in their preliminary reading, two bills were defeated, one was passed as a motion and one was withdrawn at the last second.

Short Summary on Non-Bills

• The Justice, Environment and Interior Ministers, along with the Defense and Foreign Deputy Ministers answered urgent queries at the start of the session.
• The Knesset discussed nine motions, passing five of them by the votes of 7-0, 12-1, 8-0, 7-0 and 7-0. The other four motions were not brought up for a vote.
• Minorities Minister Avishai Braverman (Labor) answered queries at the end of the session.

Amendment to the Foundations of the Budget Bill

MK Vaknin (Shas) explained his amendment would lower taxes on land that borders Lebanon or the Gaza strip.

Vaknin agreed to wait a week for the government to give their approval.

Eight Amendments on the Local Authorities Bill

MK Magadla (Labor) explained that the amendment would terminate the union of local councils Baka al Gharbiya and G’et. Magadla said that there are seven other amendments on the same exact issue that have been joined into one discussion. He assured the MKs that this is the will of the great majority of both towns. MK Oron (Meretz) attacked Magadla for telling too many jokes during his speech and Magadla teased Oron for being an irrelevant opposition MK. Magadla thanked the Labor ministers who forced the government to support the bill.

MK Walhaba (Kadima) said the concept of a union of local councils is a bad idea and in this case it was a disaster.

MK Shneller (Kadima) said that he voted for the union and is generally for the unification of councils. He said he changed his mind when he saw that this particular union caused many problems for the citizens of both cities.

MK Swed (Chadash) asked why most of the unions of city councils are in the Arab areas. He criticized the unification of councils where the majority of the citizens are against the union.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) chose to use his time to express his support for full army ceremonial funerals, even in cases of renegade soldiers.

MK Zachalka (Balad) said that both the coalition and opposition support the bill. Speaker Rivlin interrupted and said that it is not acceptable for certain unions to stand and others to be dismantled for political reasons. Zachalka asked that the Knesset not bury the bill in the Interior Committee and to advance the bill, because teasing the residents is worse than denying them.

MK Tibi (Ra’am-Ta’al) called the union a failure and complained that it took too long for the government to support the bill. He expressed fear that the government will choose to oppose it in its first reading.

MK Asana (Ra’am-Ta’al) said it’s better late than never. He criticized the previous government for forcing a union of two councils that objected to it.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) said that this union was forced by a Kadima government. The minister said that the government will only support the bill in its first reading if the treasury approves the budget cost of the bill. Speaker Rivlin interrupted the minister and said that there is enough friction between Arabs and Jews already. He demanded that the government make a decision on if they are for or against now. Rivlin expressed concern that playing games will cause more friction. Yishai responded that the government wanted more time to discuss the bill in order to see if the funds that will be needed for a new council can be allotted. He added that the government was pressured to at least pass the bills in their preliminary readings and the government will figure out the logistics later. Yishai said that the government supports the bills in their preliminary readings.

MK Shitrit (Kadima) gave a half hour speech objecting to each amendment. He said that we should be saving money and unifying more city councils. Shitrit said that the current council can’t pay their city workers, so how do they expect to pay two councils’ worth of city workers. Shitrit charged that this was an attempt to give out jobs to political loyalists and that it would hurt most of the common citizens. He warned that creating new councils costs millions of shekels each year. He said Jews should unify too and asked who knows where the border between Givataim and Ramat Gan actually is. Shitrit also accused Magadla of using this bill to try to earn more votes for the Labor party. Shitrit warned that he would fail.

MK Magadla responded that the treasury has not voiced any objection to the plan. Therefore, he reasoned the Interior Minister should give the government’s approval for the bills next reading as well.

The eight amendments passed their preliminary reading in eight votes: 46-6, 49-3 with 1 abstaining, 43-3, 45-3, 41-3, 36-3, 40-3, and 35-3. MK Eldad (N.U.) turned the session into a screaming match when he exercised his right to demand that each amendment be sent to a different committee, forcing all the amendments to be sent to the House Committee for further debate. This move will allow hard-line House Committee Chairman MK Levin (Likud) to bury the amendments if he wishes.

Amendment to the Psychologists Bill

MK Matalon (Y.B.) explained that his amendment would allow those who are entitled to free psychological care from the State to be given psychotherapeutic treatment by specialist psychologists, instead of regular psychologists. This would mean that the patients would get better care and those who treat them will be veteran professionals with years of experience.

MK Adato (Kadima) said she objected to the bill. She said that psychotherapeutic treatment is not as effective as regular psychological care and therefore she objects to the bill.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) expressed government support.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 43-4 and sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Knesset Bill

MK Levin (Likud) explained his amendment would force the approval of confidential sub-committees by a majority of the plenum. He also said in certain cases confidential sub-committees would have their protocols publicized after a cooling-off period.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) explained that the government has no official position. However, he explained that he himself supports the bill and calls on other MKs to vote in favor of the bill.

MK Oron said this move will actually increase the number of sub-committees because the coalition has a big majority. Oron also said that sub-committees have five members and only one member is from the opposition. He expressed fear that future committees would become sub-committees.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 42-7 and was sent to the House Committee.

Amendment to the Basic Law: The Government

MK Avraham-Balila (Kadima) explained that her amendment would define general ethics for government members. She said that she knew many coalition MKs wanted to vote for it but were afraid to. She made a promise not to advance the bill if the Knesset passed it in its preliminary reading.

Justice Minister Neaman said that the government plans on advancing an ethics bill of their own, where the government will define what ethics should be included in the law. Neaman announced that the government opposes the bill. Speaker Rivlin added that the Knesset has been discussing a Knesset ethics bill for four years and suggested the Knesset pass their own ethics bill before they push a government ethics bill.

The bill was defeated 24-34.

Amendment to the Basic Law: The State Economy

MK Avraham-Balila (Kadima) explained that her amendment would eliminate the economic arrangements bill. She reminded the MKs that the bill was signed in 1985 as an emergency measure and suggested the time has come to kill it.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) expressed the government’s opposition to the bill.

MK Chanin (Chadash) called on coalition MKs not to listen to the government and to support the bill. He called the current bill undemocratic.

The bill was defeated 16-43.

Motion/Amendment to the VAT Bill

MK Avraham-Balila (Kadima) explained that her amendment was a temporary order that would help small and medium-sized businesses during the financial crisis for a year and a half.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) expressed opposition to the bill and asked the MK to turn it into a motion. MK Avraham-Balila agreed.

The motion passed its preliminary reading 12-0 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

Tuesday’s session was only an hour and a half, due to the 17 Tammuz fast day. Because there were no bills, motions or queries on the agenda, the one minute speech segment was extended by Speaker Rivlin into a two minute speech. The topic of the day was Gilad Shalit.

Short Summary on Non-Bills

• Almost all of the 21 speakers spent their two minute speeches discussing the Gilad Shalit march and expressing their support. Just about every speaker took advantage of there being nothing else on the agenda for the day and spoke longer than their allotted two minutes.

Monday’s session lasted less than four hours. After defeating the no-confidence motions, the Knesset discussed 13 bills. Six bills were passed in their third readings, although one of them had two objections. Seven bills were passed in their first readings. The Deputy Speaker bill was one of those that passed in its third reading today and will become law. The last seven bills were supposed to be discussed on Tuesday but were moved up to Monday due to the 17 of Tammuz fast.

Short Summary on Non-Bills

• The government defeated two no-confidence motions from Kadima and the Arab parties by the votes of 22-51 with six abstaining and 9-53 with nine abstaining, respectively.
• House Committee Chairman MK Levin made a statement on the committee’s decisions on the committee destinations of certain bills.
• Immigration and Absorption Minister Sofa Landvor answered queries at the end of the session.

Amendment to the Electronic Signature Bill

Science and Technology Committee Chairman MK Shitrit (Kadima) explained that the amendment would expand electronic signatures from their current usage in the private sector to cover the public sector as well. Shitrit explained that this amendment will go hand and hand with the biometric bill that was passed last year. He explained this bill would change the world as we know it and would go so far as allowing patients to receive doctor’s electronic signature in order to receive refills for their prescriptions. He cited private companies’ success stories with electronic signatures. Shitrit closed with the additional green factor that this would save countless trees.

Justice Minister Neaman expressed government opposition to parts of the bill. He explained that the person would be forced to identify themselves in order to receive benefits and it would cause harm for people who were not part of the bio metric system. Neaman said the government will support the amendment and will object to two of the paragraphs.

The Knesset passed most of the paragraphs in the second reading of the amendment by the votes of 52-0, 53-0, 53-0 and 53-0. The Knesset objected to two paragraphs in the second reading by defeating them15- 37 and 13-39. The amendment excluding the two paragraphs that were defeated was passed in the third reading 52-0.

Amendment to the State Economic Arrangements Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman MK Chaim Katz (Likud) explained that his joint amendment would assist the government in achieving budget targets and will also give a city tax discount to mentally disabled people that live in community apartments.

The amendment passed its second reading 25-0 and passed its third reading 26-0.

Amendment to the Trademarks Ordinance Bill

Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained that the amendment would resolve issues in trademark court cases in terms of trademarks standings in the law and when the court will have authority.

The amendment passed its second reading 22-0 and passed its third reading 26-0 with 1 MK abstaining.

Amendment to the Knesset Bill

House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) explained his amendment would increase the number of deputy speakers to nine. The current law is seven, with the option to raise the number to nine as a temporary decision. The amendment would secure all nine current deputy speakers in their positions until they resign or new elections are called.

The amendment passed its second reading 21-0 and passed its third reading 20-0.

Amendment to the Equal Opportunities Bill

MK Chaim Katz explained that the amendment would expand the law to prohibit employers from asking certain questions to job candidates during interviews.

The amendment passed its second reading 19-0 and passed its third reading 19-0.

MK Solodkin (Kadima) thanked her co-sponsor MK Yachomovitz (Labor) and MK Katz, who helped advance the bill.

Amendment of Public Health Bill

MK Chaim Katz explained that the amendment would require the inclusion of nutritional values such as calories, carbs and grams of sugar on packaged food labels.

The amendment passed its second reading 17-0 and passed its third reading 16-0.

MK Ketzeleh (N.U.) thanked the Knesset for passing his first bill. He also thanked his wife for taking good care of him.

MK Orbach (J.H.) called the bill a small step for industry and a big step for health.

Amendment to the State Education Bill

Justice Minister Neaman explained the amendment would help integrate Jews and minorities in state education. He also explained the amendment would defeat certain sections of the existing law for that purpose.

MK Pelsner (Kadima) demanded that the religious state schools also join the program. He accused the minister of creating 14 jobs in positions that will do nothing.

The amendment passed its first reading 20-8 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Amendment to the Social Workers Bill

Minister Neaman explained that the amendment would change the terminology of certain social work jobs to a more respectable title.

The amendment passed its first reading 10-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority Bill

Minister Neaman explained that the amendment will apply to the civil service law in regard to discipline. It would expand the number of employees that serve in the prisoner rehabilitation authority.

The amendment passed its first reading 10-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

Minister Neaman explained that the amendment would expand the government child allowance to include children up to age 24 who still live with their parents, provided they served in the army.

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

Amendment to the Patent Bill

Minister Neaman explained that the amendment would eliminate the need for the publication of patents in the official gazette “Reshumot”. He explained that instead it would be updated online and anyone with access to a computer will be able to view the list as it is updated.

The amendment passed its first reading 9-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Implementing the Agreement Between Israel and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development Bill

Minister Neaman explained the amendment would focus on granting privileges and immunity to ease the agreement between the organizations. He explained this will assist the OECD in particular.

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

Amendment to the Civil Veterans Bill

Deputy Pensioners Minister Leah Nes explained that her amendment would create a position named “senior citizens consultant” in every local authority. She stated that Israel has the fifth longest life span in the world and 10% of Israel’s population is over 65 years old.

The amendment passed its first reading 9-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Last Wednesday’s session lasted almost ten hours. The Knesset discussed 12 bills, passing eight in their preliminary readings, turning two into motions that were passed and defeating the last two. The Yair Lapid Law passed, despite MKs Orbach and Tibi’s impressive speeches against the bill. House Committee Chairman Yariv Levin caused a stir when he voted against the government’s position on the Amendment to the Equal Opportunities Bill. Two bills were also passed through the continuity clause.

Short Summary on Non-Bills

• The Prime-Minister was forced to give a speech in response to the 40 MK petition on the subject of “Conduct on the failed policy of the Netanyahu government and the collapse of Israel’s status”. The speech was approved by a vote of 41-22.
• Urgent queries were answered by the Homeland Security and Transportation Ministers as well as the Deputy Health Minister.
• Speaker Rivlin gave a warm speech to the Italian Parliament delegation.
• The Knesset discussed seven motions and attendance was low. The Knesset passed 3 motions 13-1, 4-0 and 4-0. Another motion was split into two, with one half passing 8-0 while the other was defeated 3-8. The MKs agreed to defeat three other motions by not voting on them.
• The Communication Minister answered queries at the end of the session.

Amendment to the Copyright Bill

MK Levin (Likud) explained his amendment would help protect record producers’ rights within copyright laws.

Justice Minister Neaman expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 33-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment on Traffic Ordinance

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) explained his amendment would require the installation of sensors on trucks. The requirement would go into effect for trucks manufactured in 2011 and onward.

Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) said the government opposes many aspects of the amendment. He explained that there is good will in the amendment but he feared that the public will not be able to handle it. He agreed to let the bill pass its preliminary reading but doubted that it would be advanced in the future.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 38-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Disengagement Bill

MK Elkin (Likud) explained that the amendment would assist the companies affected by the disengagement. He complained that the government has not done enough for the evacuated citizens.

Minister Erdan (Likud) said that the government is in the process of developing their own amendment, but because it will take time, the government agreed to support this one in the meantime.

MK Oron (Meretz) explained his objection to what he dubbed a “popular bill” riding a wave of giving out money to settlers. He complained that there would not be a preference given to the settlers who evicted themselves by will and that the law abiding citizens will sit in the same boat as those who forced soldiers to take them out of their houses. He also suggested that Israeli companies that had businesses in the Erez crossing also be included in the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 39-2 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Local Authorities Bill

Minister Erdan explained that the amendment would limit the terms of legal advisers and treasurers in cities. He said that public jobs that are lifetime appointments are unacceptable, and if these people want to keep their jobs for 20-30 years as they presently do, they must be re-elected by the city council. He suggested the committee decide how long a term should be.

MK Gafni (U.T.J.) said he was one of the co-sponsors of the bill, but he is not going to vote in favor of it. He said the legal advisers have too much power and they must be limited and suggested that the Knesset also adapt this law. However, he said treasurers should not be included in the bill, and that is why he is not voting for it. He said he doesn’t see the connection between the legal advisers and treasures.

MK Elkin said that perhaps the two should not be together. However, he asked how a co-sponsor could vote against his own bill. Elkin suggested that the committee make the decision if the two should be discussed together.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 33-0, with MK Gafni abstaining. The bill was sent to the House Committee to decide if the bill should go to the Finance or Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Equal Opportunities Bill

MK Tibi (Ra’am-Ta’al) explained his amendment would add a representative of the Arab population to the advisory committee of equal opportunities.

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Noked (Labor) expressed the government’s support of the bill.

MK Levin said he was shocked the government is supporting the bill. He asked what the end game was. Levin asked where the Druze, Christians and other minorities who are supportive of the country are in this bill. He condemned the bill and expressed frustration that the government would support the bill. He announced that he will go against the government and vote against this bill.

Minorities Minister Braverman (Labor) said this is one small step that will help bridge the gap between the Arabs and Jews.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 36-1 (MK Levin was the only one to object) and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Consumer Protection Bill

MK Tirosh (Kadima) explained her amendment would assist in matters of store credit. She complained that if the consumer does not use the store credit within 30 days, he does not receive a refund. Her amendment would eliminate a time limit for a refund in store credit matters and that the refund would be printed on inerasable paper. She hopes that this will encourage stores to refund customers with money in order to not go through this process. The amendment will include lifting a time limit on food vouchers as well.

Deputy Minister Noked said that the government has a similar bill coming. Noked said that the government supports the bill as long as it will be merged with the government one when it is ready.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 33-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment/Motion on the Airport Authority Bill

MK Bielski (Kadima) explained his amendment would obligate the government to cease operation of the Hertzeliya Airport. He complained that the 531 highway in the area has not been dealt with for 41 years because of the airport. He asked that the land be used for housing. Bielski explained that the airport causes noise for neighbors and the local nursing home and causes traffic accidents because the road is not built well around the airport. Bielski expressed that he has dreamed of this bill for over twenty years and hopes that it passes.

Transportation Minister Katz noted that MK Bielski’s speeches are getting better. The minister added that MK Vaknin (Shas) is dealing with the 531 highway issue and it should be resolved within a year. He added that the government has already agreed to close the Hertzeliya airport; he mentioned that the decision was made a year ago. Katz explained that the airport will remain open until they can find another place to house the air school. Katz explained that the bill is unnecessary and the issue should be turned in to a motion.

MK Bielski thanked Katz for the policy and agreed to turn the amendment into a motion.

The motion was passed 34-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment/Motion on the Basic Law: Budget Bill

MK Shneller (Kadima) explained his amendment would fund the State Department with a higher budget for hasbara. Shneller attacked the recent strategy of hasbara that started with the apology for the Defensive Shield operation. Shneller demanded that we focus our hasbara on Israelis and Jews throughout the world. He suggested the Hasbara Minister join the security cabinet.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) explained that the budget for hasbara is large enough and that the government can’t add on more money to the deficit. He agreed to support the issue as a motion. However, he expressed the government is opposed to the bill and will vote against it if it is not turned into a motion.

MK Shneller reluctantly agreed to have the issue turned into a motion.

The motion passed 26-0 with 1 abstaining and was sent to the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee.

Amendment to the Consumer Protection Bill

MK Oron explained his amendment would force the cancellation of a deal due to the sale of a defective product within 14 days. Oron asked why MK Tirosh’s bill received government support and his did not.

Deputy Minister Noked explained that the existing law gives the consumer 30 days. She said the government refuses to support a bill that will hurt the consumer and hinted that Oron didn’t do his homework on this one.

MK Oron refused to withdraw the bill and the bill was defeated 7-33.

Amendment to the State Health Insurance Bill

MK Ganem (Ra’am-Ta’al) explained his amendment would expand eligibility for child development and paramedical services. It would do so by raising the eligible age for the services to 12.

Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) said there is no budget for the bill, so the government opposes it. He said that he felt the age of nine was high enough.

The bill was defeated 7-24.

Two Amendments on the Basic Law: The Knesset (The Yair Lapid Bill)

MK Shama (Likud) explained his amendment would mandate a one year cooling off period for journalists who wish to be elected to the Knesset. He said it is unacceptable for journalists to jump from interviewing politicians to becoming politicians overnight.

MK Tirosh explained that her amendment was the same as MK Shama’s except that she decided that the cooling off period should be shortened to six months instead of a year. She reminded the audience that she gave herself a cooling off period of six months between being director general of the education ministry and becoming an MK. She said that if government employees and military officials must wait six months, journalists should as well.

Justice Minister Neaman said that the government has no opinion and each MK can vote as they wish.

MK Orbach (J.H.) said that he objected to the bill because it would leave the Knesset with its current members. The MKs all started shouting at Orbach, who corrected himself by saying: “I was not referring to the MKs in the room, only the MKs who are not in the room. I’ll put it another way, whoever was insulted by the remark, I was not referring to him”. He accused Kadima and Labor of being afraid of Yair Lapid and supposed the next law would ask for a cooling off period for lawyers too. He added that those who watch television on Friday night will go to hell anyway, so none of this really matters.

MK Itzick (Kadima) went on the stage even though she was not allowed to and said Kadima is not scared of Orbach or Lapid. Minister Eitan (Likud) screamed at Itzick for attempting such a stunt.

MK Tibi said that ever since he entered the Knesset in 1999 the MKs have diminished in value. The MKs all screamed at Tibi, and Tibi screamed back. He asked the MKs of what and who they are afraid. He said the four former journalists who were elected in the previous election have given the Knesset a better name. He asked why there are no professors in Knesset and said the current backbench MKs are worthless. He asked to let the public choose who they want to vote for and judge Yair Lapid for themselves.

Shama’s amendment passed its preliminary reading 32-11 and Tirosh’s amendment passed its preliminary reading 30-12. Both amendments were sent to the Justice Committee. Shamah and Tirosh hugged each other following the vote.

Other Notes

• MK Levin made a statement on the House Committee’s decisions on the committee destinations of certain bills and motions. Levin also announced committee changes.
• The Labor Committee request to invoke the continuity clause on the Benefits for Foster Families Bill was passed 18-0.
• The Finance Committee request to invoke the continuity clause on the Electric Bill amendment on the issue Electrical Work Permits was passed 8-0, despite MK Eldad’s objection speech. MK Eldad lifted his objection and did not vote.