The Knesset’s Tuesday session lasted about three and a half hours. Two bills were discussed and advanced after passing their first readings. The bills would prohibit age discrimination in public tenders and lower insurance prices for motorcycles. Three motions were also discussed.
Non-Bills Summary
* 18 MKs spoke during the one minute speech segment that opened the day.
* Three motions were discussed. One motion was sent to committee by a 4-0 vote. The other two were not voted on.
* Homefront Security Minister Vilnai (Independence) and Deputy Education Minister Moses (U.T.J.) answered queries towards the end of the session.
Bills Summary
Amendment to the Mandatory Tenders Bill
MK Bielski (Kadima) explained his amendment would prohibit age discrimination when deciding whether to take someone for a tender. He said it is wrong to discriminate against older people and commented they are usually better for the job because they have more experience. He said older people are also less distracted than younger people because they have more free time to invest in their jobs. He noted that every time he has brought up a bill when Deputy Speaker Levi-Abekasis (Y.B.) was sitting in the Speaker’s chair, it has passed. He said that he is very proud that his bills don’t cost money.
The bill passed its first reading 7-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.
Homefront Security Minister Vilnai (Independence) complained that he pressed the button to vote and it didn’t work. Deputy Speaker Levi-Abekasis reminded Vilnai that he had resigned from the Knesset two days ago and can no longer vote in the Knesset.
Amendment to the Motor Vehicle Insurance Ordinance Bill
Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained the amendment would change the loading component of insurance rates so that rates for motorcycles and other two-wheel vehicles are lowered considerably. He said that in 2009 the insurance companies raised their rates so that motorcycles would pay four times the amount of regular cars and this bill will repeal that move. He said motorcycles are great and more people should drive them. He blasted the finance ministry for playing games with the percentages and misleading him in the fine print.
MK Ben Ari (N.U.) said Tel Aviv, Ashdod and Ashkelon are flooded with illegal immigrants. He condemned the attack on a 15-year-old girl by an illegal immigrant from Eritrea. He said that we need to worry about our own and not others. He condemned another attack in the Tel Aviv central bus station by a Sudanese who wishes to return home. He said motorcycles are dangerous and no one should ride on them.
The bill passed its first reading 9-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.
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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s February 21, 2012, session.
Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/01123512.doc
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