Jeremy's Knesset Insider

Wednesday’s session last about seven and a half hours. The Knesset passed six different bills covering ten amendments in their preliminary readings and defeated MK Solodkin’s (Kadima) Social Housing Bill. The Knesset also approved seven of the nine motions, opting not to vote on one and defeating MK Eldad’s (N.U.) motion on the State Service Commissioner’s term extension. The “Gilad Shalit Law” and the Citizenship Bill became the talk of the day after they were both approved in their preliminary readings, but it seems unlikely that they will be advanced anytime in the near future. For the first time this summer the motions seemed more compelling than the queries, but that might be because few MKs showed up for the ministers who opened and closed the day’s session.

Urgent Queries to Health and Housing Ministers

MK Cohen (Shas) asked how three ambulances could serve the population of over 250,000 people in Haifa. Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) responded that there are 52 ambulances in the Haifa area. MK Ganem (Ra’am-Ta’al) complained that there aren’t enough ambulances in Sachnin. The minister said he would look into the matter. The Knesset took a ten minute recess when the siren sounded for a security drill.

MK Kirschenbaum (Y.B.) asked about the policy of determining who is eligible for government housing. Housing Minister Ariel Atias (Shas) reviewed the levels of eligibility and priority as part of the policy that was in place from 1994 until last week. He went on to defend the new system that favors families with a large number of children by placing them at the top of the list. MKs Tzartur and Asana (Ra’am-Ta’al) complained about a housing crisis in the Israeli Arab community, specifically in Jaffa. The minister said he would not support a public housing plan with affirmative action for Arabs.

The Gilad Shalit Law – Four amendments by four MKs that are being merged into one bill.

1) Incarceration of prisoners is required bill

2) The release of kidnapped prisoners bill

3) Prisons Ordinance Bill: Amendment – Restricting visits to security prisoners

4) Prisons Ordinance Bill: Prevention of visits

These four amendments are being merged because they cover similar issues related to additional restrictions for Hamas prisoners.

MK Danon (Likud) explained that the Red Cross brings families of Hamas terrorists for weekly visits while Shalit is lucky to get a tape out once every six months. He criticized the Red Cross for not demanding rights for Shalit. Danon said the new restrictions would affect Hamas terrorists and would be lifted when Shalit is either freed or given family visits. The Arab MKs heavily heckled the speech. The new law would forbid all family visits to jailed Hamas members.

MK Levin (Likud) expressed his view that the pressure the Hamas families will put on their leadership will increase Shalit’s chance for a swift release.

MK Solodkin (Kadima) said she had proposed a similar amendment in the previous Knesset under Olmert. She expressed pride that for once the government is doing something she can agree with.

MK Eldad (N.U.) talked about terrorists finishing high school or getting a masters degree on our tax-paying shekels. Eldad asked what circumstances have changed since his amendment was rejected six months ago.

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitz (Y.B.) said that the four amendments by the four MKs would be softened in the committees and reminded everyone it was a preliminary reading and the chances of it passing in its first reading are very low.

MK Tzartur said he hoped all security prisoners on both sides would be released.

MK Asana spoke of his visit with the Shalit family and expressed his feeling this amendment would hurt Shalit’s chances of release. He called each one of the 11,000 security prisoners “Gilad Shalits”.

MK Oron (Meretz) said after four years we need to bring Shalit home. He condemned the MKs who want to run the Prisons Authority and expressed his opposition.

MK Tibi (Ra’am-Ta’al) said Shalit should be released and all the security prisoners should be released. He accused Captain George in the Shabak of sexual abuse of prisoners after their arrest.

The MKs who were criticized during the speeches of the four MKs opposed to the bill were allowed to speak again.

MK Danon defended the law and said it sends a clear message to Hamas.

MK Levin said whoever draws a parallel between a kidnapped solider and murderers have no place in the Knesset and do not deserve Israeli citizenship. He called their words undemocratic. He rejected the idea that terrorists should be rehabilitated at the expense of the tax payers and said he is pleased that his amendment would put an end to these types of privileges.

MK Solodkin said it is unacceptable that Shalit is getting worse treatment than terrorists. She said the Russian community supports her completely.

MK Eldad said all of the MKs are part of a play, and the Homeland Minister is the director. He is allowing the law to be passed in its preliminary reading, but he plans to bury it in the committee. Eldad charged that the Minister has the power to make these changes and the only reason the amendments are in place is because Aharonovitz won’t do what is needed to be done. He reminded everyone that the days keep passing and with each passing day Shalit grows older.

The first amendment was passed in its preliminary reading 52-10-1. The second amendment passed 54-10. The third amendment passed 53-9 and the fourth amendment passed 51-10. A discussion on which committee the bill should be sent to forced Speaker Rivlin to send the bill to the House Committee. There were arguments for sending it to the Justice Committee, the Interior Committee and the Foreign and Defense Committee.

Debit Cards Bill (Amendment – There are details missing in the transaction document)

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) discussed the amendment that would force credit card companies to show the difference between a transaction in person and a transaction over the phone.

Finance Minister Neaman said the government supported the amendment.

The Knesset passed the amendment 36-0 in its preliminary reading and sent it to the Finance Committee.

Municipal taxes ordinance and government taxes bill (two amendments on non-profit cemeteries)

MK Gafni (U.T.J.) denounced the current law that forces families to pay city taxes on cemetery plots.

MK Azulai (Shas) said that very few cities enforce the current law. However, since a few do, we must change the law to excuse people from paying city tax on cemetery plots. He mentioned that this is a bill on which he expects the coalition and the opposition to come together.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) praised the two MKs and expressed the government’s approval of the amendment.

MK Shitrit (Kadima) disapproved that the amendment would exclude cemeteries that are not part of “Chevrat Kadisha” and would therefore exclude secular cemeteries, including all Israeli Arab cemeteries. He went on to criticize Chevrat Kadisha for charging $10,000 for burial of a body from overseas.

MK Gafni defended Chevrat Kadisha and asked what this argument had to with people paying city tax on cemetery plots.

The Knesset voted in favor of the two amendments 56-0-1 and 52-0 in their preliminary readings and the bill was merged into one and sent to the Funds Committee.

Social Housing Bill

MK Solodkin talked about the need for more public housing. She discussed the 150,000 public houses until 1996 and the additional housing built to answer the rising demand until 2003, thanks to the now defunct Yisrael B’Aliyah party. This bill would increase the amount of public housing by 7,000 units each year.

Housing Minister Attias said the bill offered a good idea. He also wanted to set the record straight. He claimed the government had not added one new unit in any public housing project over the last 20 years, until last year. The minister explained that since he restarted the public housing program 200,000 people have asked to be a part of the new project and that he recently changed who gets priority over whom. Attias explained that because this was a bill that would take a slice out of the budget annually the government has to oppose it.

The bill was defeated 15-44.

Citizenship Bill (Amendment – Cancellation of citizenship for an act of terrorism or espionage)

MK Rotem (Y.B.) stated that citizenship also has its obligations; it is not just about privileges. He cited other countries that revoke citizenship from people who commit treason. Rotem explained that citizenship is not holy; it is a piece of paper that gives certain privileges to people who wish to be a part of the country. Terrorists, he said, do not want to be citizens. He also stated that under international law revoking citizenship of individuals is allowed.

Interior Minister Yishai (Shas) expressed his frustration with the current law, which does not allow the Interior Minister to revoke citizenship, instead giving that power only to the Supreme Court. Yishai suggested we adapt the American law that permits the Interior Minister to revoke citizenship of traitors.

MK Horovitz (Meretz) said the lack of a constitution creates many issues. Horovitz said that under this law a serial killer of six would be allowed to retain his citizenship while a person who drives a terrorist would have his revoked. Horovitz said we should be very careful because this is a slippery slope.

The amendment passed 20-10 in its preliminary reading and was transferred to the House Committee, which will decide between sending the bill to the Interior Committee or the Justice Committee.

Consumer Protection Bill (Amendment – telephone hold time limit for human telephone answering)

MK Cabel (Labor) explained the new amendment, which would limit the time on hold to three minutes and would exempt consumers from paying the phone charges during that time.

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Noked (Labor) explained that under the amendment if a person does not answer within three minutes the costumer would leave a message that would be returned within three hours. She praised the bill for improving service and expressed the government’s approval of the amendment.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 18-0 and was transferred to the Finance Committee.

Copyright Bill (Amendment – Usage of public body’s photographs)

MK Shitrit explained his amendment would allow everyone to use photos taken by a public body, such as an army spokesman, without invoking the penalties of the Copyright Bill. He explained further that every modern country, including America, allows free material. Under the current law no foreign magazine is allowed to use a photograph of any Minister without being subject to a copyright fine. He said it hurts Hasbara efforts and prevents blogs, like this one, from doing the same job Palestinian blogs are allowed to do. He praised Minister Eitan (Likud) for lobbying the bill and receiving government approval.

Minister Begin (Likud) thanked Shitrit for the idea and expressed the government’s desire to see this through in the committee discussions.

MK Baron (Kadima) asked what happens in certain “gray” situations.

Minister Begin said his position is that the Justice Minister will have his say on the matter in the committee and if they can solve the issue without legislation that would be the best answer for everybody.

The amendment was passed in its preliminary reading 21-0 and was transferred to the Science and Technology Committee.

Motion on the housing shortage in Israel

MK Cabel (Labor) bid MK Baron “Shabbat Shalom” as he got up to leave for the day. MK Baron replied: “Only in the Knesset do you say Shabbat Shalom on a Wednesday afternoon”. The MKs present in the room responded with a discussion on the matter for a few minutes, including an argument over who will cook the Chulent.

Cabel then talked about his parliamentary assistant Omar Chabri, who was looking for a new apartment with his wife, and the troubles he faced and how he was left empty handed. He claimed that only in Judea and Samaria are there four-room apartments that are under one million NIS. He lamented over the new rule that requires prospective home-owners to come up with a 40% down payment in order to be eligible for a mortgage.  He asked “how can this be if we just joined the OECD?”

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen said that Housing Minister Attias is about to approve another round of 30,000 apartments. He blamed the 22% rise of housing prices over the last two years for the current situation. Deputy Speaker Miller (Y.B.) criticized Cohen’s response as not an adequate reason for the new 40% rule. Cohen said that young couples will probably be exempt from the new rule.

MK Yoel Chasson (Kadima) said that he also believed that young couples would be exempt from the new rule, and it is Cohen’s job to make sure of this.

The motion passed10-0 and was transferred to the Funds Committee.

Motion on the Acre air pollution as a result of a fire in the steel mill

MK Magadla (Labor) praised the Environment Minister for touring the area and assuring the people affected that everything would be okay.

MK Swed (Chadash) suggested moving some of the factories between Haifa and Acre so that the air pollution does not become a long term issue.

MK Walhaba (Kadima) asked the minister to conduct routine checks in the factories to make sure they are up to the standards as set by law in order to prevent such fires from occurring in the future.

MK Gafni explained that there are many houses near the factories and there should be drills on how to deal with tougher situations should they occur.

MK Orbach (J.H.) asked that something be done to lower pollution in the area and that we should increase awareness of the issue with the industrial community.

Environmental Minister Erdan (Likud) praised the 5 MKs on their motion. He expressed frustration on the pollution and said he wants to increase regulation in industry and raise awareness of the issue on a national level. He criticized the fact there are 300 traffic inspectors for parking meters and only 50 inspectors for environmental issues.

MK Chanin (Chadash) asked the minister to check what happens in these factories in the event of a major earthquake or some other national disaster.

MK Cabel said that the Knesset respects Erdan and wishes him well.

The motion passed 10-0 and was sent to the Interior and Environment Committee.

Motion on the construction of the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem

MK Magada (Labor) expressed his opposition to the museum and went home.

MK Agbaria (Labor) questioned how one could build a museum of tolerance on top of a Muslim cemetery? He also asked how moving graves in Ashkelon creates a national controversy, but when it comes to Arab graves it doesn’t matter. He asked the Chareidi MKs to assist him in fighting this issue.

MK Ganem (Ra’am-Ta’al) slammed the court ruling that allowed the graves to be uprooted. He also questioned the need for another museum in Jerusalem.

Minister Begin explained this was a decision made ten years ago and the government must support the court’s ruling on the issue even if personal opinions might differ. He also criticized the newspapers that spread lies on the story. He agreed to allow further public debate on the subject.

The motion passed 9-0 and was sent to the Interior and Environment Committee.

Motion on preventing the entry of Professor Noam Chomsky PA

MK Shai (Kadima) explained that Chomsky is an investigative expert who is anti-war and an anti-Israel Jew. Dana Kaldaron, the clerk on site, decided on her own that he would not be allowed in, telling him “you are not liked in Israel”. Chomsky gave the talk he was supposed to give via conference call in Amman, Jordan. Every international outlet condemned us, and as a result we shot ourselves in the foot.

MK Bensimon said he was not angered by Israel’s handling of the Chomsky issue, but saddened. He asked what harm an 81-year-old man can possible do.

MK Zachalka questioned why Chomsky was denied entry this time, when every other time he was allowed to enter. He supported Chomsky’s speech from Jordan, where he charged the United States of enabling Israel’s murder of 1,400 Gazans during the 2008 war.

MK Tibi asked why Israel would deny a Jew entry to the West Bank? He also criticized Arutz Sheva for misquoting him and giving the impression that he knows where Shalit is being held captive.

MK Ketzeleh asked why Israel would allow Chomsky into the country when he is buddies with Nasralla. He suggested the next time Chomsky visits Lebanon he stay there and convert to Islam. He praised the government’s decision to not allow Chomsky‘s entry.

Minister Begin said he was saddened by MK Bensimon, who would defend an anti-semite over his own country. He equated Chomsky with the academic intellectuals that caused the anti-semitism which brought the Holocaust. He read out the Interior Minister’s response, which explained that, unlike with previous visits, Chomsky did not make the proper arrangements before his visit and expected he could just get in last minute through the Allenby Bridge Crossing. The minister explained that everyone west of the Jordan River are Palestinians under the British mandate rules, a majority of which are Jewish-Palestinian. He slammed Tibi for saying that all previous peace initiatives including Barak and Olmert’s did not meet the minimum standards of preconditions to a talk. Begin asked how 100% of Gaza and 97% of the West Bank, along with a land swap, is not enough for the preconditions of a peace initiative.

MK Chanin (Chadash) asked why a professor needed to coordinate his visit with the Interior Ministry. He demanded a formal apology to Chomsky and the citizens. He also suggested the MKs read his insightful papers on Israel.

MK Agbaria started talking in Arabic and Ketzeleh demanded he speak in Hebrew. Agbaria spoke against the policy Israel has recently started of not allowing people who disagree with them into the country, like a Spanish diplomat.

MK Magadla asked Begin to compromise and to pursue peace.

MK Shitrit said this incident only strengthened Chomsky and the haters of Israel.

The motion passed 10-0 and was sent to the Interior and Environment Committee.

Motion on the release of Hamas leader Muhammad Abu Tir

MK Avraham-Balila (Kadima) stated that in June 2006, then-Interior Minister Baron revoked the citizenship of four eastern Jerusalem Arabs who were Hamas members, including Abu Tir. He was later arrested as a bargaining chip for Gilad Shalit. For some reason, in September Bibi opted to release 9 high level Hamas members, and now on Thursday Abu Tir was released too. Of course Shalit is still in captivity and Abu Tir is back in Jerusalem. She charged that out of the 60 bargaining chips we had a year and a half ago, only twelve remain.

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitz explained that Abu Tir, like others, had their terms expire and that is why they were released. It is not the government’s official position to discuss the Shalit situation. Abu Tir was given 30 days to leave Jerusalem and if he doesn’t, he will return to jail.

Balila agreed to not bring the motion for a vote.

Motion to help Arab teachers from the north and center teach in the Negev

MK Tzartur asked to give financial incentives for the transportation costs of pioneer Arab teachers who travel to the Negev, as well as lowering the city taxes for those who choose to move and make the Negev their home. He complained their average wage of 6,000 NIS per month should be raised as well.

Minister Begin expressed his pride in the 1,400 teachers who travel from the north to the Negev every day. He expressed concerns over the Education ministry finding ways to budget MK Tzartur’s ideas, but said he would bring them up in conversation with Education Minister Sa’ar.

MK Bielski (Kadima) backed MK Tzartur’s motion.

The motion passed 5-0 and was sent to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee.

Motion on the cancelation of the road safety studies program

MK Bielski mentioned the statistic that more Israelis have died on the roads than in all of Israel’s wars. He also cited statistics that most of the accidents are caused by younger drivers. So far this year there has been a twenty percent rise in car accident deaths. Bielski said he understands the budget concerns, but we shouldn’t be cutting spending where we are saving lives.

Minister Begin said in the name of the Education Minister that the issue might get funding in a different ministry that has room to take on this important issue. He also expressed that no matter what we do as a government we cannot bring the mortality rate to zero. Begin also blamed the Government Regulation Committee of Road Safety for not sending the relevant funds as they had promised. Somehow he felt the program would be saved and there was no reason to worry.

The motion passed 4-0 and was sent to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee.

Motion on the danger of closing the dental school in Tel-Aviv

MK Shitrit spoke about what would happen to the 40 second-year students who would be left in a difficult situation because the school only enrolled twelve students this year and just six for next year. Shitrit asked for a government bailout. He warned if we don’t bail them out, they will leave Israel.

Minister Begin gave background information on the school’s history and the countless bailout plans it has received. He agreed to allow a committee to decide what to do this time.

MK Eldad (N.U.) felt that the Science Committee would be a good choice.

MK Michaeli (Shas) suggested the Education Committee.

The motion passed 7-0 and was sent to the House Committee in order to determine in which committee the matter will be discussed.

Motion on the extension of the term of office of the State Service Commissioner

MK Eldad questioned why the term of a person with that much power should be extended, especially when it has never been done before. Eldad named the respected people who are in key positions throughout the spectrum of the three branches of government. Eldad warned that this extension of four months is only the first extension. Eldad accused most public jobs of being political appointments and said the reason we failed in Lebanon was because we were busy promoting the wrong people who were related to other Generals.

Minister Neaman praised the three MKs who stayed for the important motion. He suggested Eldad should look at the light, not just the dark. Neaman said he agrees on term limits but he is in the minority. The minister said the government opposes the motion.

The motion to discuss this matter further was defeated 1-3.

Queries to the Deputy Health Minister and Minister of Welfare and Social Services

Deputy Health Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) answered MK Eldad’s query on why the Psychological Council has not met recently by stating they recently changed chairmen and are currently on recess but will be back shortly to choose a new body. Seven other queries were sent to the protocol because their MKs were not present.

Minister of Welfare and Social Services Herzog (Labor) answered MK Michaeli (Shas) on the query of his office’s support of outside bodies and associations. He discussed the 400 associations his ministry supports and what guidelines each association must follow in order to qualify, as well as the exceptions. He said all this information is available on the ministry’s website. MK Michaeli said he supported the Minister’s work with all the associations and hoped the budget will be raised for such projects.

Minister Herzog answered MK Ze’ev’s (Shas) query on the failure of detecting minors in danger of drugs. He said 151,000 children were discovered in 56 different cities that are part of the program, although we believe the number of children affected is probably closer to 330,000. He said he is working on locating those children and having them join the program. He expressed hope that newfound cooperation with the Education ministry will bear some fruit. Nine other queries were sent to the protocol because their MKs were not present.

Tuesday saw the opposition’s filibuster fail followed by one minute speeches that mostly discussed the Eliantz French school system. Netanyahu was forced to sit through the MKs’ speeches and gave one of his own. Following the drama the Knesset discussed a motion on the connection between cell phones and cancer.

Filibuster of the Deficit Reduction Bill

18 MKs combined forces for a 12-hour filibuster, with representation from all six opposition parties: Kadima (Shitrit, Shai, Zoaretz, Pelsner, Mula and Yoel Hasson), National Union (Ketzeleh, Ariel, Eldad and Ben-Ari), Chadash (Barakeh, Swead, Chanin and Agbaraia), Meretz (Oron and Gilon), Ra’am-Ta’al (Tibi) and Balad (Zachalka). MK Ben-Ari’s hour and a half speech was by far the longest. Ministers Eitan (Likud), Steinetz (Likud), Landau (Y.B.) and MK Gafni took turns criticizing the tactic.

Here are a few summaries so you can get a feeling of what went on.

MK Gafni explained that the bill would put a new spending limit on the budget. The bill proposes an annual growth rate of taxes to a little over 2% overall, a rise from the current 1.7%. Gafni explained it was needed for Israel to pay its loans and get out of its deficit.

MK Baron (Kadima) warned this would endanger the Knesset’s authority and make the opposition less relevant. He went as far as saying this could cause financial collapse.

MK Oron said that this bill would hurt the economy for years to come.

MK Barkeh charged the ones who would pay the extra 0.3-0.4% would be the poor. He said his party would vote against the capitalistic bill that helps the rich.

The opposition made a decision after 5 AM to end the filibuster and vote based on the number of coalition vs. opposition MKs in the room.

The bill narrowly passed in its second reading thanks to Netanyahu who had been hiding in his office and came in to vote for the bill. The third reading was a roll call, which gave the coalition MKs time to come into the room.  The bill passed in its third reading 51-31.

One Minute Speeches

After a recess of over eight hours 22 MKs chose to give one minute speeches.

Nine of the 22 MKs chose to discuss the Eliantz schools. MK Bensimon (Labor), MK Ben-Ari (N.U.), MK Avraham-Balila (Kadima), MK Tirosh (Kadima), MK Ketzeleh (N.U.), MK Bielski (Kadima), MK Zoaretz (Kadima), MK Ze’ev (Shas) and MK Levi-Abukasis (Y.B.) all talked about the Eliantz French school program that was being honored and recalled their own personal experiences with the school.  Many MKs gave lengthy portions of their speech in French.

MK Levin (Likud) asked the government to work against the Supreme Court order opening up the 443 highway to Palestinian traffic, while MK Magadla (Labor) and MK Zachalka (Balad) talked in favor of the 443 Supreme Court decision.

MK Wilf (Labor) and MK Ganem (Ra’am-Ta’al) discussed the decline of the Israeli education system. MK Gilon (Meretz) spoke in sign language in honor of Hearing Disability Day. MK Adato (Kadima) demanded the Health Ministry add the 65 Million NIS that the Supreme Court ordered be set aside for pharmaceuticals. MK Eldad (N.U.) criticized the building freeze in the settlements and Jerusalem. MK Amar (Y.B.) talked about the many deaths in traffic accidents this month. MK Shai (Kadima) stated that 50% of Israelis do not have gas masks. MK Pelsner (Kadima) discussed issues he has with the bi-annual budget. MK Shama (Likud) criticized the government’s decision to raise the minimum required down payment on mortgages to 40%.

Motion on “the government represents the interests of coalition members rather than serve the interests of state residents”.

MK Boim (Kadima) accused Netanyahu of being a failure in every aspect of government and as a liar regarding every campaign promise he made.

MK Pelsner (Kadima) talked about leadership. He talked of Ben-Gurion, Begin and Sharon. He accused Netanyahu of not being a true leader and of giving in to the Chareidim.

MK Okunis (Likud) accused Tzipi Livni of giving in to commentator Yair Lapid’s criticism of Kadima and attacking the Chareidim every chance she had. Okunis reminded the Knesset the amount of money Kadima gave the chareidim in 2006.

MK Rotem (Y.B.) said that the 74 MKs in the coalition represent the majority of the Israeli people and there is nothing Kadima can say about that. He suggested Kadima learn from their mistakes and support the Israeli government just as the opposition supported Kadima during the Second Lebanese war in 2006 and the Gaza war in 2009. Rotem warned of the dangers Israel would face if they are not united.

MK Vaknin (Shas) blasted Kadima for blaming all of Israel’s problems on the Chareidim. He reminded Kadima that they gave him more money than Likud.

MK Moses (U.T.J.) blasted Kadima for being an anti-Chareidi party. He then criticized the new government law in which a person must pay a 40% down payment in order to get a mortgage.

MK Ganem (Ra’am-Ta’al) slammed the new law that takes away certain privileges from Hamas prisoners until Shalit is released.

MK Ben-Ari (N.U.) talked about how Jerusalem Day turned from a national holiday to a national religious one.

MK Swed (Hadash) slammed Netanyahu’s capitalistic economy and called for a communist government that would be for all citizens, not just Jews.

MK Horovitz (Meretz) praised J-Street and asked Netanyahu to take a hint from them and listen to President Obama.

MK Orbach (U.T.J.) asked Netanyahu to do more for the education of Arabs in eastern Jerusalem.

MK Zachalka (Balad) wondered what Netanyahu’s end game was for the peace process.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) took out fake paper money with Bibi’s face on it and started to throw it on the floor from the Knesset podium. Other Kadima MKs also held up the fake money from their seats. Speaker Rivlin threw Hasson out of the room and forbid him from entering for Netanyahu’s speech.

Coalition Chairman MK Elkin (Likud) disclosed that the Chareidim begged him for half of what Kadima gave them in the previous government. Elkin said that Netanyahu said no, so Kadima should look at themselves in the mirror.

Discussion with Prime-Minister by power of 40 MKs’ Signatures

Netanyahu: We should stand united in the challenges Israel faces from the outside, whether it be the peace process with the Arabs or America.

Livni: The problems Israel faces are from the inside, not the outside. She charged Netanyahu of bribing his coalition partners in order to create a corrupt government that gives money to Chareidim and other interest groups. Livni stated that the only reason everyone is in the coalition is because they think that Netanyahu is lying to everyone else and they are the only ones who know the truth.

The Knesset accepted Netanyahu’s words by a 41-26 vote.

Motion on the connection between cell phones and cancer

MK Cohen (Shas) suggested Israel create a non-political study on the matter.

MK Amar (Y.B.) talked about two studies, one that said it is dangerous to live next to antennae and a second that said it was safer.

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) criticized Israelis who buy multiple cell phones and said because of the frequency of usage, we don’t need a study, we’ll know the results soon enough.

MK Shama (Likud) urged that the fact that our children are using cell phones should make us deal with the situation sooner, rather than later.

Communications Minister Kachalon (Likud) agreed with these four MKs on the urgency of the issue. The minister said he believed that more antennae would cause less radiation because the travel of the radio waves would be shorter. He agreed that a study should be performed to get to the bottom of the situation. Kachalon said he feels that there is no connection between cell phones and cancer.

MK Magadla (Labor) suggested the matter be brought to a committee.

The Knesset voted 7-0 and the motion was transferred to the Interior Committee.

Monday’s session went all night thanks to an opposition filibuster, but I’ll get into that with my next post. The two highlights of the day were MK Nisim Ze’ev’s U.N. “hasbara” and MK Bensimon’s allegations connecting assassinated Minister Ze’evi to assassinated former Prime Minister Rabin. On Monday the Knesset defeated two no confidence motions and passed three bills, two of them in their third readings. The two new laws extend the life of the army radio station for another year and enhance bank security for transactions involving large amounts of money.

Israel’s hasbara problem is well known, both internally and externally. Netanyahu went as far as creating a new ministry and appointing a close aide, Yuli Edelstein as the first Minister of Information and Diaspora, dealing with that exact purpose. It is unusual that a coalition MK would bring up such a sensitive issue during a no confidence vote, but that independence is something MK Nisim Ze’ev from Shas routinely demonstrates. Ze’ev was shocked when he learned that a United Nations high level official of twenty years had never heard of Israel’s biblical claim to Judea and Samaria. Elsa Stamatopoulou from Greece is Chief Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in the Division of Social Policy and Development as part of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs centered in the United Nations Headquarters. In a three page letter to Stamatopolou MK Ze’ev set the record straight including the usage of quotes from Israel’s bill of independence and other U.N. sources.  Apparently, the only message that Israeli hasbara members overseas bring up in the U.N. is to do strictly with security and not our biblical claim to the land, and this hurts us in many U.N. committees. I’d like to ask my loyal readers their opinion on this subject.

MK Bensimon was a respected journalist before he joined the Knesset as a member of Labor. It is going to be very difficult for people to respect him now after his speech during the no confidence vote, accusing assassinated Tourism Minister Ra’achavam Ze’evi of indirectly causing the assassination of Rabin. To give you some background, Rabin formed a minority government in 1992 with 58 seats between three parties (Labor, Meretz and Shas). The only way the government survived was through support from Arab opposition members. Ze’evi questioned the legality of a government that was not supported by a coalition of 61 MKs. MK Bensimon’s accusation today was that Ze’evi’s words influenced Yigal Shamir, who assassinated Rabin. This was the first accusation of this magnitude directed at Ze’evi and honestly seems like quite a stretch, directed to a former Minister and General who was also assassinated for his political beliefs.

No Confidence Motions

1) Kadima’s No Confidence Motion on the subject “the government’s intention to create an army learning center city in the Negev without giving priority to southern contractors and discriminating against prioritizing Israeli products without insisting on a worthy compensation package to the southern contractors and Israeli industry, in which preferring non-Israeli contractors and products, without giving proper compensation.”

MK Yisrael Chason (Kadima) complained that the government doesn’t do anything for the Galil. He also criticized the government for rushing the project in the Negev, saying they will do a good job in ten years instead of an excellent job in twenty years.

Minister Peled (Likud) was surprised that Chason talked about the Galil. Peled talked about how he helped the former SLA (Southern Lebanese Army), which Israel absorbed in 2000. Peled said the government has helped the Negev and the Galil plenty. The minister defended the new army city and the goal to complete the work as soon as possible. He expressed that in the long run it will help the Negev and questioned why Kadima would want to delay the project for ten years.

2) Joint No Confidence by Balad, Ra’am-Ta’al and Chadash on the subject “erosion of democracy in the shadow of an anti-democratic right-wing government”.

MK Agbaria (Chadash) criticized the election advertisements last year as racist against Arabs. He condemned the Israeli public for electing the right-wing parties. Agbaria questioned what the difference was between those parties and European anti-Jew parties? He also criticized the attempt to revoke the immunity of the Arab MKs who visited Libya and the destruction of Arab homes. Agbaria slammed the discrimination against all minorities including Ethiopians and Chareidim. He blasted all the Zionistic parties and praised his party’s platform of communism.

Minister Yishai (Shas) said he supported demolishing all illegal homes, not just Arab ones. He suggested Arabs try to legalize their homes as soon as possible. The minister said there was no country in the world that allowed minorities to legalize their illegal homes. He said we are forgiving, but we must keep the law.

Party Discussion and Vote

MK Mula (Kadima) blasted the fact that none of the 39 Ministers or Deputy Ministers were in the room. Speaker Rivlin allowed Mula to speak freely for the few minutes until a minister entered the room. Mula asked how the government could say that the army city is in the best interest of the Negev’s residents if they are going to hire Thai workers.

MK Rotem (Y.B.) slammed MK Agbaria for not staying to hear his response. He said that Agbaria was the one who was undemocratic. He asked what MK Agbaria considers racist about Yisrael Beitaynu’s proposal that citizens take an oath to the state they live in. Rotem explained that most of the Israeli Arabs are loyal to the State and criticized the Arab MKs of representing the Palestians instead of the Israeli Arabs who elected them. He said that every loyal Israeli Arab is a welcome citizen. Rotem concluded that Agbaria should be ashamed of calling Israel racist and undemocratic because there is no Arab country that would allow him to deliver such a speech against their government.

MK Ze’ev (Shas) condemned MK Zuabi (Balad) for traveling to be a part of the “Gaza Supply Ship” scandal. He asked MK Agbaria how he can preach democracy when he visits the undemocratic Kadafi in Libya. Ze’ev said we have a problem with our “hasbara”, citing issues within the U.N. where long term officials have no idea Judea and Samaria are a part of our biblical heritage. Below is a link to the letter,  just copy and paste in a new window to view.

https://knessetjeremy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/letter-to-united-nations-unpfii.doc

MK Ganem (Ra’am-Ta’al) said democracy is when a citizen is allowed to criticize his country without threat of having his citizenship revoked.

MK Ketzeleh (N.U.) suggested Israelis support the products that are being boycotted by the Palestinians and Israeli Arab communities, and blasted Netanyahu for not doing anything on the subject. He also criticized the government for not acting to stop the infiltrators from Sudan. Ketzeleh said that Eilat’s mayor cried to him that his city is no longer a Jewish city; it’s now a Muslim one. He warned that Tel Aviv will soon share Eilat’s fate.

MK Barakeh (Chadash) criticized the arrest of two political leaders of the Israeli Arab public on the count of treason. He called for the end of the “occupation”.

MK Oron (Meretz) slammed the attempt to revoke the immunity of the six Arab MKs who visited Libya. He likened the current issues with the Arab MKs to a time when he didn’t agree with one word of former MK Tzvi Hendel, but he never tried to have Hendel’s immunity revoked.

MK Orbach (U.T.J.) agreed with MK Oron that there was no reason to revoke the MKs immunity, but he criticized everyone who denied Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish country, calling them traitors.

MK Bensimon (Labor) accused former Minister Ra’achavam Ze’evi of killing former Prime Minister Rabin by questioning the legitimacy of Rabin’s government, which had fewer than 61 MKs but survived due to Arab MKs who supported the government from the opposition. He criticized MK Orbach for calling the Arab MKs traitors, and Orbach started defending himself. Deputy Speaker Vaknin (Shas) tried to restore order.

MK Zachalka (Balad) condemned the attempt to revoke Arab MKs immunity, calling it undemocratic.

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) criticized the discrimination against Chareidi society by the government offices and police.

MK Elkin (Likud) spoke in place of MK Tzipi Hotovely, who came late. Elkin argued if former MK Kahanah can be considered a traitor and have his immunity revoked, so can Israeli Arab MKs.

Kadima’s No Confidence motion was defeated 32-52 and the Arab MK motion was defeated 28-55.

Gali Tzahal Bill: Radio broadcasts of the Israel Defense Forces – Amendment.

MK Okinus (Likud) suggested extending the radio station Gali Tzahal for another year. He expressed hope that it will be extended again in the future.

The vote passed 54-2-1 in its second reading and 43-2 in its third reading.

Securities Bill Amendment

MK Gafni (U.T.J.) explained the bill would enhance bank security for large sums of money.

The bill passed 45-0-1 in its second reading and 44-0-1 in its third.

Israel‘s Heritage Authority Bill

Culture Minister Livnat (Likud) explained the need to keep Jewish heritages such as Ladino and Yiddish as part of our country. The bill would create a museum and authority to govern it.

MK Mula was angered that the Ethiopian heritage is included in the bill instead of standing on its own.

MK Ze’ev said Jewish heritage is about Torah, not about a museum or a Mordechai Vananu or an Anat Kam.

MK Yoel Chason (Kadima) said that spending money on heritage museums is wrong, but he is willing to discuss the matter in the committee.

MK Shitrit (Kadima) asked how Livnat would pick which heritages would be in the museum and which would be left out.

MK Amnon Cohen (Shas) charged that Livnat stole his bill.

MK Itzick (Kadima) congratulated Livnat’s bill.

MK Walhebe (Kadima) said that the Druze heritage bill fell because of money.

The Knesset voted in favor 35-0 in its first reading and was sent to the House committee.

Just like that after only ten working days, a third of the summer session is in the books. A great deal of this session has been spent like today with no confidence votes on the government, all of which failed. There have been a few bills and many motions, most of which didn’t make headlines, and today was no different. Because of Shavuot, the entire week was squeezed into today’s almost five hour session.  After the two no confidence votes, two bills passed, one in its third reading, followed by three motions, one of which was defeated.

Motion of no confidence on behalf of Kadima: “The Israeli government is creating a policy of discrimination by the Ministry of Construction and Housing to favor one sector over another in the building program for young couples and is perpetuating this discrimination, which undermines social gaps in Israeli society, causing it to collapse.”

The motion was delayed almost 10 minutes due to the fact that the minister who was supposed to answer didn’t show up.

MK Meir Shitrit (Kadima), former Construction and Housing Minister in the beginning of Olmert’s term, talked about the difficulty of secular young couples who are looking for apartments, claiming the current minister is focusing only on charedi young couples. He cited Bet Shemesh as an example, where land that had been previously approved for the secular public was recently transferred to the charedim. Shitrit suggested couples who went to the army should be given preference over charedi couples who do not contribute to the State. He also criticized the tax breaks given to Americans who don’t live in Israel and own real estate in Jerusalem, calling them “empty neighborhoods”, “ghost towns” and “evil landlords”.

Construction and Housing Minister Attias (Shas) reported that the housing shortage in Israel has been an issue for over a decade. The solution is to construct more housing. The minister defended the Bet Shemesh affair, claiming everything was done legally and suggesting the policy of separate housing for secular Israelis and charedim continue. Attias claimed mayors don’t agree to construct small apartments in their city because they fear they will attract poor people. He also said there was no way to control which apartments would be for rent and which would later be sold. The minister backed his recent law, which banned setting a minimum amount of money a landlord needs to take from a tenant. Attias explained that the building freeze beyond the ’67 borders have crippled the ability for his ministry to create enough housing to meet Israel’s current needs. He said that if the freeze is lifted, there will be more building, and the prices of both houses for sale and apartments for rent will go down. On the public housing issue, Attias stood by his position on the favoritism towards families who have more kids over families who are childless. The minister also criticized environmental groups who have caused the decade-long housing shortage.

Motion of no confidence on behalf of the Meretz faction, Ra’am-Ta’al, Chadash and Balad on “the exposed serious findings in the state comptroller’s report”

MK Gilon (Meretz) charged that there are “two Israels”, a rich Israel and a poor Israel. He slammed the current government for killing the middle class, and the previous government for the Holyland affair, citing his belief that there has not been a real government in Israel since Peres was Prime Minister in 1996. He expressed his hatred for Kadima, Likud and Ehud Barak, who play musical chairs and do not solve anything.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) spoke in praise of the state comptroller, whom he said was among the most effective in Israel’s history. Erdan listed the changes the government has made as requested in the report and questioned the relevance of most of Gilon’s talk.

Discussion on the motions by a party representative

MK Tevyev (Kadima) accused Attias of only looking out for the charedi public. He asked the coalition partners who agree with him not to fear the charedim and to condemn Attias.

MK Michaeli (Y.B.) cited Israel’s entry into the OECD as a reason not to have a no confidence vote this week. She expressed disappointment that the opposition feels the need to waste everyone’s time each week on a vote they know is lost.

MK Amsalem (Shas) blasted the secular leaders for constantly attacking the charedi community and suggested they learn some derech eretz on Shavuot.

Deputy Minister Parush (U.T.J.) attacked Netanyahu for the grave transfer in Ashkelon, claiming this will give Europeans the legitimacy they need to uproot Jewish graves there. He informed the government that the five U.T.J. MKs will walk out of the room when the vote begins and not participate.

MK Ganem (Ra’am-Ta’al) congratulated Israel for joining the OECD despite the financial gap between Jews and Arabs. He said he was impressed that the government with no head had so many ears; the problem he said was that the ears were not listening.

MK Agabreih (Chadash) said he enjoyed Ganem’s sarcasm and spoke a little Arabic to Deputy Speaker Walhaba, to the frustration of the other MKs present. He slammed the Knesset for not hiring Arab workers and spoke about Arabs unjustly not receiving welfare.

MK Horrovitz (Meretz) talked about megilat rut, which is read on Shavuot. He said he was saddened the religious Jews no longer care for the “gerim”, as they once did for Rut, the Moabite. Horrovitz attacked Israel for not allowing left wing extremist Noam Chomsky to enter the Palestinian Authority or Israel and charged there was no freedom of expression anymore.

MK Eldad (N.U.) discussed the many findings by the state comptroller on Agriculture Minister Simchon (Labor). Eldad warned that Simchon should not be allowed to direct the Keren Kaymet L’Yisrael (K.K.L./J.U.F.), stating Simchon might be the most corrupt politician in Knesset today.

MK Orbach (J.H.) informed MK Ganem that because he was an Israeli citizen, the OECD is his accomplishment too. He asked Ganem when his friends in Arab countries will admit Israel into the Middle East club. Orbach criticized Professor Chomsky and supported the government’s decision to keep the “hater of Israel” outside its borders.

MK Zachalka (Balad) called Chomsky one of the greatest minds of his generation and one of the most brilliant Jews of all time. He also condemned the police who arrested Balad activists for being traitors.

Labor was the only party who chose not to send an MK to speak on the motion.

MK Levin (Likud) chose to talk about national sports. He also criticized the opposition for the no confidence motions. Levin pointed out that Israel’s economy is standing strong, despite the failure of many European and other western countries. Levin charged that Kadima is the reason there is a housing shortage because they didn’t build enough during their administration.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) summarized the discussion as anti-charedi and full of opposition lies.

The Knesset defeated the first no confidence vote 24-44-1, with 51 MKs not present. The second no confidence motion was defeated 24-45.

Vote on amendment to Annual Leave Bill

MK Chaim Katz (Likud) explained that the amendment will allow workers to choose national holidays as vacation days (for example, Jerusalem Day or Druze holidays) instead of religious holidays (Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, etc). MK Walhaba (Kadima) was thankful to Katz who helped him with the law.

The bill was approved in its second reading 56-0 with 1 abstaining. The bill was passed in its third reading 57-0.

Vote on Income Tax Ordinance – Proposed amendment on a special assessment period

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen explained that the bill would allow companies to choose a different deadline month other than January for annual reports, which would ease the workload in both the income tax office and the accounting firms.

MK Oron (Meretz) chose to use his time to attack Israel for not allowing Chomsky into Israel. Oron also accused Netanyahu of being so powerful that he could take credit for the fall of the Euro and the rise of the U.S. Dollar.

MK Ben-Ari (N.U.) said he was worried about the growing numbers of extreme Muslim fundamentalists in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, a group that Noam Chomsky has been supporting. Ben-Ari praised Israel for not allowing those who identify with the enemy entry into the country.

MK Shitrit expressed his worry that this amendment will be used in other ministries and that it will create more red tape.

MK Ze’ev (Shas) talked about the pleas he received from Eilat’s mayor to resolve the increase of Sudan refugees who have changed the city into a Muslim city.

The Knesset voted 30-0 and the bill passed in its first reading and was sent to the funds committee.

Motion on Russia’s policy on Hamas and the signing of a Russia-Syria arms deal

MK Eldad expressed his frustration with Russia, where Jews have been killed in every generation. He was not surprised with Russia’s current foreign policy that supports Muslim terrorists over Israel.

MK Mula (Kadima) asked what Liberman, the Russian, is doing to improve our relations with Russia.

MK Elkin (Likud), himself born in Russia, questioned what Liberman’s insight is on the current crises with Russia. He gave his own ideas on what Russia might be thinking internally but raised no possible solutions.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon (Y.B.) criticized Mula and Kadima for not fostering better relations with Russia when Israel was in a better position. However, he said the motion was not necessary because the media is blowing things out of proportion.

MK Agabria countered Eldad’s comments by saying Russia voted for Israel’s founding in 1947, and therefore he should be less harsh.

MK Ganem said we shouldn’t care what Russia does with Syria and should focus on Israel.

MK Ze’ev said he was more worried about Syria than Russia. Russia might have sold arms to Syria, but the concern is why they need weapons.

The motion was passed 8-3 and sent to the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee.

Motion on “Ministers’ statements on political matters”

MK Cable (Labor) asked in the name of Ehud Barak that all ministers who are trying to derail the peace process keep their thoughts to themselves.

MK Ganem described the government as Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, where one part might be good, but the other is evil.

MK Oron (Meretz) said he doesn’t know what Israel’s position is anymore. Is it the policy of Netanyahu? Or Liberman? Or Barak? Or is it the policy of Boogie or Begin?

Minister Erdan said he didn’t know who to believe when it came to the charges on the peace talks. Perhaps the left, who says Netanyahu doesn’t mean what he says, or the right, who believes Netanyahu is going to do what he says. Erdan said that freedom of expression is not just for citizens; it is for MKs and ministers too, including Ehud Barak.

MK Agabria said he will take Benny Begin’s recent remarks as the official position of the Israeli government, and therefore suggested the Palestinians end the talks.

The motion was defeated 4-8.

Motion on “the plague of road accidents on the roads of the country”

MK Swed (Chadash) talked about the recent bus-truck accident that left five dead, as well as the statistics that show a rise in road accident deaths.

MK Orlev (J.H.) suggested we end the apathy and do more to prevent road accidents.

MK Ben-Ari echoed Orlev’s words and told a story of pointless death. Ben-Ari went as far as calling cars “weapons”. He suggested we educate Israelis how to use their most dangerous weapon, their car.

MK Amar (Y.B.) talked about the 13 deaths last week on the roads, and proposed having the mayors of nearby cities take responsibility for the roads around their cities. Amar asked how a man can get a license without the requirement of driving at night or in the rain.

MK Magadla (Labor) supported the minister, who has been very pro-Arab in regards to the transportation needs of his community. He complained that every day he is disappointed by the culture of drivers in Israel. Magadla noted that over 150 people have died in traffic accidents so far this year, a rise of over 9% from last year. The MK explained that the statistic was not complete because it didn’t include Palestinian deaths.

MK Ze’ev blamed the bus-truck accident on Egged. Despite the fact that the company knew he was a bad driver, they still let him drive. He also noted that a lot of the accidents are caused by motorcycles and suggested enforcing very strict laws on who gets a motorcycle license. Ze’ev took a shot against the light rail of Jerusalem. The MK cited the countless injuries of old people who trip due to the light rail, the inability of ambulances to enter the area, and the business owners who are hurting. He proceeded to blast all the recent transportation changes in Jerusalem.

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) stressed the need for more public transportation and to get more cars off the road.

Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud) praised the seven speakers for their words and proposals. The minister discussed the bus-truck accident in length. Katz explained there is little he can do from preventing a drunk or stoned driver from getting behind the wheel; most of the issue is the police enforcement on these matters. He disclosed that his ministry has heavily budgeted this issue.

The motion passed 7-0 and was transferred to the finance committee.

Other Notes

Because the session ran late, the last motion of the day was delayed to a later time. The motion was on the consequences of the incitement against the ultra-Orthodox sector resulting in yeshiva students being violently beaten.