Do you want to learn more about each of the Big 3?
Two-part KnessetJeremy FM interview on Big 3 (Electoral Reform, Shaked, National Referendum) Bills.
Part 1 (from 4:30 on): https://soundcloud.com/yishaifleisher/march2014-q2-final-1
Part 2 (from 4:25 on) https://soundcloud.com/yishaifleisher/march2014-q3-final
Interview aired on Galey Yisrael on Tuesday March 11 2014.
The interview was conducted the day before.
Following the opposition boycott of the planned 23-hour session, Speaker Edelstein re-opened up the session as planned at 10 AM. Chairman Rotem (L.B.) blasted the opposition’s boycott. Minister Liberman (L.B.) pointed out that it is ridiculous that Labor and Meretz leaders proposed many of the measures in the bill including the raising of the threshold and today are boycotting the vote. He discussed the 29 committee meetings on the bill and the 253 experts that participated in the meetings. Speaker Edelstein announced that all coalition MKs removed their objections. All of the opposition objections were removed because the objecting MKs were not in the building.
You can read more about the content bill here: https://knessetjeremy.com/2014/03/09/electoral-reform-bill/
Government Bill passed its second reading 67-0 and third reading 67-0.
Knesset Bill passed its second reading 67-0 and third reading 6-0.
MK Hoffman (Yesh Atid) got up after the voting to thank everyone who worked on the bill.
Minister Lapid (Yesh Atid) also spoke from the podium and thanked the people who worked on the bill.
Speaker Edelstein closed the session and said they would re-convene for the presentation of the Haredi Draft Bill at 1 PM.
The only coalition MK who did not vote is Presidential candidate MK Rivlin (Likud Beitenu) who purposely decided to fly to London in order to miss vote. The 52 opposition MKs went through with their boycott.
The official Knesset protocol will show that not one MK gave a speech against the bill and not one MK voted against the bill.
Electoral Reform (for good and for bad) is complete.
The first of the the three bills up this week for a vote is the Electoral Reform Bill.
The proposed law includes changes to Basic Laws which require 61 MKs to approve.
This bill is a merger of two bills that will change the executive and legislative branches of government, the third branch (Judicial) will not be touched.
Here are some of the main changes that you will find in the Electoral Reform Bill.
* There are many “objections” from both the coalition and opposition that if passed would change the bill.
Update
* I was going to present all speeches on the bill. Due to the opposition MKs decision not to discuss the proposed law from the Knesset podium and the coalition MKs speeches that did not actually discuss the bill – I decided against it.
The Knesset’s Monday session lasted about five hours. Eight bills were discussed. Three bills became law after passing their third readings, and five bills were advanced after passing their first readings. The highlight bills were those advanced on increased Israeli sanctions on Iran and raising the age of marriage to 18.
Non-Bills Summary
Bills Summary
Amendment to the Israel Defense Forces Service Bill
Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Haim Katz (Likud) explained for close to an hour the complicated amendment that will revamp the entire IDF pension system. He expressed regret that he was not able to get as much as he wanted into the final draft but stressed this is a big improvement for career soldiers.
The bill passed its second reading 32-0.
The bill passed its third reading 33-0.
Struggle against Iran’s Nuclear Program Bill
Deputy Prime Minister Ya’alon (Likud) explained the government’s original bill would place crimpling sanctions on all companies and individuals that do business with Iran. He stressed the importance of Israel having the type of sanctions within their own home that they request other world powers to have.
MK Barakeh (Hadash) called Israel hypocrites for passing this law since Israel is the one with nuclear weapons and is the country that is a danger to peace in the Middle East. He expressed his support for Iran and their nuclear program. He said the Iran agenda is meant to distract the public from the Palestinian process. He called the bill hypocritical, cynical and useless.
MK Khenin (Hadash) slammed the government for the bill and its policy, which he called extreme, adventurous, irresponsible and dangerous. He said that his vote against this bill is a vote against Israeli policy on Iran, which he called suicidal. He called for peace negotiations with Iran that will put an end to both countries’ nuclear programs.
MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) slammed Khenin and Barakeh. He asked them who they are trying to protect. He said there is no connection at all between the need for peace with the Palestinians and the need to protect ourselves from Iran. He noted the terror organizations that are funded by Iran. He said Iran with a nuke will not bring about peace and is a threat to Israel. He expressed his support for the bill.
MK Molla (Kadima) said that Israel should not lead the fight against Iran and should let the United States and the international community lead. He said that sanctions are important everywhere, so he will be happy to support the bill. He noted Israel has no problem with Iranian people, just their leadership.
MK Miller (Y.B.) said he isn’t surprised to see the Arabs MKs come out against this bill because it puts an end to the funding of their friends in Hamas and Hezbollah. He slammed them for supporting terrorists and for being silent on Syria.
Deputy Prime Minister Ya’alon got up to say the MKs do not understand the importance of passing this bill and that it is essential to pass it.
The bill passed its first reading 21-3 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill further.
Amendment to the Standard Contracts Bill
Deputy Prime Minister Ya’alon explained the amendment would change all standard contracts so that both sides are protected in various instances that are not included in the current standard contract laws.
The bill passed its first reading 15-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.
Amendment to the Fallen Soldiers’ Families Bill
Deputy Prime Minister Ya’alon explained the amendment increases the benefit package for families of fallen soldiers in terms of pensions and their rehabilitation, as well as other areas.
MK Haim Katz said that there are many issues with this bill and he looks forward to making a lot of changes in committee.
MK Matalon (Y.B.) also complained about the many issues he had with the bill and asked that the committee completely revamp it.
The bill passed its first reading 12-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.
Amendment to the Municipal Taxes and Government Taxes Ordinance Bill
Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the amendment would grant municipal tax exemptions to institutions that help disabled people.
The bill passed its second reading 11-0.
The bill passed its third readings 11-0.
MK Khenin thanked the Knesset for approving his bill.
Amendment to the Equal Rights for People with Disabilities Bill
MK Gilon (Meretz) explained the amendment will force the government to implement all of the previous decisions that are written in the law and have been delayed for years. He noted there are some additional changes as well.
The bill passed its second reading 11-0.
The bill passed its third reading 8-0.
Preventing Violence against Social Workers Bill
Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the original bill would create a new criminal offense of attacking a social worker. He said the decision on the punishment will be decided in committee.
MK Agbaria (Hadash) expressed his support for the bill. He spoke out against violence against all government service workers and said the attackers must be brought to justice.
MK Molla supported what he called an excellent bill. He echoed the speeches by Katz and Agbaria, saying that violence against social workers is a crime and offenders must be punished.
MK Zeev (Shas) said that social workers should not get special treatment. He stated that this bill should include all government workers and should not single out social workers. He was heckled by some MKs and shouted back to them that everyone should be protected from violence, not just social workers.
The bill passed its first reading 10-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.
Amendment to the Age of Marriage Bill
House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) explained the amendment would raise the age of marriage to 18. He stressed the importance of this bill and how this will save so many minors from being forced into marriage. He noted that today over 70% of those who marry under 18 are not Jewish. He noted that in some countries the age of marriage is higher, such as 20 in Iraq, and that there are very few countries that allow marriage under 18.
MK Khenin was interrupted by MK Gal-On who complained that every time Deputy Speaker Barakeh is on the Speaker’s chair the room becomes very cold. MK Barakeh was not happy with Gal-On’s words until she clarified she was talking about the strong air conditioning in the room. Khenin went on to praise the bill and express his support for the exceptions in the bill.
Deputy Minister Gamliel (Likud) expressed government support for the bill and called it a win for feminism. She said that the annual number of over 4,000 minors getting married every year is troubling, especially since the number is growing.
MK Barakeh noted that he has been trying to pass this bill for years and is happy the government finally came around to supporting it.
MK Gal-On (Meretz) expressed her support and said that we must close all loopholes so that minors don’t marry before 18.
MK Zahalka (Balad) noted that his mother got married and had him at age 16. Zeev pointed out that this bill would have prevented Zahalka from being born. Zahalka responded that he has mixed feelings on the subject, yet feels strongly about supporting this bill.
MK Zeev said the ultra-orthodox get married at 16-17 and this bill is part of the agenda to limit the demographic concern of the Israeli public about the increase in ultra-orthodox Jewish and Arab births. He slammed the government agenda and called the Arabs suckers for falling for it. He noted that in the United States you can get married at 16 if both parents agree and slammed Israel for trying to have a more severe law. He noted that in Japan the age of marriage for men is 20 and the age for women is 16. He listed that Scotland is 16, Turkey is 17, and the Vatican follows the United States’ parental acceptance clause.
The bill passed its first reading 8-1-1 and was sent to the Justice Committee.
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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s June 18, 2012, session.
Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02963912.doc
The Knesset’s Monday session lasted about three hours. Two bills were discussed. A bill on loosening the regulations on strengthening buildings against earthquakes became law after passing its third reading, and the emergency regulations in Judea and Samaria were advanced after passing their first readings. The government easily defeated two no-confidence motions.
Non-Bills Summary
Bills Summary
Amendment to Extend the Validity of the Emergency Regulations in Judea and Samaria Bill
Religious Services Minister Margi (Shas) explained the amendment would extend the current system of jurisdiction, offenses and legal assistance in place in Judea and Samaria for another five years until June 30, 2017.
MK Khenin (Hadash) said that the emergency regulations that have been in place since 1967 and extended every five years are obviously not temporary. He said the current set of laws are different for Jews and Arabs that live in the Wild West called Judea and Samaria. He said the conquering of Judea and Samaria 45 years ago was a mistake and voting against this bill will correct that mistake by ending Israeli rule over these areas. He called on creating a Palestinian state immediately along the 1967 borders.
MK Ariel (N.U.) asked the government how they can discriminate against Jews who live in Judea and Samaria while the Jews who live everywhere else receive full rights and benefits under law. He said that citizens that are taxed deserve equal rights. He stressed there is no such thing as taxation without full representation. He called on annexing Judea and Samaria today.
MK Zahalka (Balad) said the bill is not democratic because it determines the law over a group of people who did not vote for this parliament. He said this is the most anti-democratic bill this Knesset has passed. He noted that this bill includes Gaza which means that Israel has never ended their occupation of Gaza. He said this bill proves that Israel is trying to pretend that Gaza’s occupation is over when it makes sense to them, when the truth is that the occupation continues.
MK Katzeleh (N.U.) said that over 350,000 Jews live in Judea and Samaria, 300,000 Jews live in eastern Jerusalem and 25,000 Jews live in the Golan. He said that it is only a matter of time before this bill stops being extended. He said that internal polls show 15-20 seats for a united faction of National Union with Jewish Home.
MK Ben Ari (N.U.) read off letters his office received from citizens who are struggling with the African takeover of Southern Tel Aviv. He said that we are in a state of emergency with the African takeover of Israel and we need to have special provisions on the emergency regulations to include solving this African issue. He said that Israel is becoming a dangerous place and we must fight for our survival.
MK Zeev (Shas) said that the British Mandate is over and these emergency provisions are unnecessary, especially when it comes to Judea and Samaria. He said that a lot of the provisions make sense but they don’t need to be set on an emergency basis that needs to be extended every five years. He called on Netanyahu to fulfill his promise for the 800 houses in Judea and Samaria so that the Ulpana evacuation will have some meaning. He added that the government should evacuate the Arabs’ illegal buildings in eastern Jerusalem and not evacuate the Ulpana. He said in the name of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef that there is no Jewish law that allows kicking Jews out of their homes even if a Palestinian really does own that land. He told the Knesset that his Rabbi asked him to deliver that message personally to Netanyahu and to the Knesset plenum.
MK Schneller (Kadima) said for this bill to be irrelevant we need to do one of three things: one is to annex everything, two is to give up on everything and the third is to make a deal with the Palestinians that falls somewhere in the middle. He said that in order to strike a deal the center-right will be needed to ensure that a majority of the country supports the agreement. He slammed the three leftist plans of compensation evacuation, the Talya Sasson outpost report, and the decision to go to the Supreme Court every time they want to evacuate a house. He said they have caused the exact opposite of their intention- the Jews in Judea and Samaria are now more ideological, have grabbed more hilltops and will see 10 houses built for every one destroyed by a Supreme Court order. He charged that it is the left that is holding up a deal and whoever really wants a deal needs to understand that they need a majority of Israelis to support it.
The extension of the bill passed its first reading 40-9 and was sent to the Justice Committee.
Amendment to the Lands Bill
Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Cohen (Shas) explained the amendment would loosen the regulations on strengthening apartments and condominiums against earthquakes. He expressed hope that this will lead to more apartments receiving the necessary strengthening requirements that will save their homes from an earthquake and save lives.
MK Ariel asked why the bill is not going to apply to Judea and Samaria and demanded Cohen withdraw the bill back to committee. He said it is not fair that he is being discriminated against and might die of an earthquake because he lives in Judea and Samaria.
The bill passed its second reading 29-0.
The bill passed its third reading 17-0.
MK Azoulay (Shas) thanked the Knesset for approving his bill and Orlev, whose bill was merged into his.
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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s June 11, 2012, session.
Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02815012.doc
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