Tag Archive: middle-east


Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 10: Tzohar Bills Advanced

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 2 Comments
June 3, 2012

The Knesset’s Monday session lasted about six and a half hours. Fourteen bills were discussed. Three bills became law after passing their third readings, and eleven bills were advanced after passing their first readings. The two Tzohar Bills were advanced in their first readings. The bills would allow couples to register for marriage at any rabbinate, including the Shoham municipality that employs lenient Tzohar rabbis. The ultra-orthodox MKs voted against those bills as well as another bill that deals with the inheritance of adoptive family members.

 

Non-Bills Summary

 

  • Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The government’s failure in dealing with the underlying causes of violence and the lack of a comprehensive integrated plan to enhance personal security in the Arab sector’ was defeated 16-62-1.
  • Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The most bloated government in Israeli history tramples on democracy and is mistreating civilians in Israel’ was defeated 15-63-1.
  • New Kadima MK Akram Hasson (Kadima) gave his first Knesset speech after replacing the recently deceased Kadima MK Gideon Ezra.
  • Speaker Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Yachimovich gave speeches marking Jerusalem Day.
  • Technical changes were approved on the Aviation Bill 32-0 and 35-0.
  • Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz’s request to fix a technical issue with a bill was approved by a 27-0 vote.
  • Appropriations Committee Chairman Gafni’s request to fix a technical issue with a bill was approved by a 16-0 vote.
  • MK Pinyan (Likud) presented the Interior Committee’s request to fix a technical issue with a bill, which was approved by an 18-0 vote.

 

 

Bills Summary

 

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

Appropriations Committee Chairman Gafni (U.T.J.) explained the amendment would give tax breaks on donations to non-profits that work to encourage the settlement industry in Israel. He confessed it will include Judea and Samaria, but it will also include the Negev and Galil. He said this is not a right or left bill, this is a Zionist bill meant to help the Zionist settlements wherever they are.

MK Ariel (N.U.) called the bill one of the most worthy bills the 18th Knesset will pass. He said that every Jewish settlement, wherever they are in Israel, is important, and non-profits that encourage settlement should be given additional tax breaks. He said this bill will help Jews from Eilat to Katzrin.

MK Khenin (Hadash) said there is no reason to hide and called this a settler bill meant for Judea and Samaria. He said those who live in Israel are jealous of the tax money and subsidies spent there and now they will be even more jealous. He called settlements in Judea and Samaria illegal according to international law and the Geneva Convention and called for a true two-state solution. He asked the Knesset and those who support the peace process to oppose and defeat the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 31-13.

The bill passed its third reading 33-13.

Sheltered Housing Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) called this original bill of 35 pages and hundreds of clauses among the most complicated bills he has ever brought to the Knesset for approval. He said it took three years of committee meetings to discuss and finalize the bill. He explained the bill decides who is eligible for sheltered housing and the regulations of the sheltered housing program. He thanked his staff for helping him with such a complex bill. He thanked the recently deceased MK Gideon Ezra for working hard on this bill.

MK Molla (Kadima) recalled attending committee meetings with Ezra and backed Ezra’s positions. He said this was a balanced bill that helps all sides. He thanked Chairman Katz for ordering sandwiches during the late night committee meetings.

MK Edery (Kadima) said that important bills like this explain why it is a good thing that early elections were avoided. He said thousands of people will enjoy the fruits of the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 36-0.

The bill passed its third reading 36-0.

Amendment to the Parties Bill

House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) explained the amendment would allow parties to validate their membership information with the population registry before primary elections. He noted that this arrangement already exists during the period of time before general elections, so there is no reason not to have this information exchanged during the primary process as well. He said the bill will take effect in one year. He noted that Likud, Kadima and Labor support the bill.

The bill passed its second reading 21-0.

The bill passed its third reading 21-0.

Amendment to the Money Laundering Prohibition Bill

Minister Margi (Shas) explained the amendment would update the money laundering law to reflect international law on the subject, the new FATF regulations and anti-terrorism measures.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) talked about the importance of the Jewish month of Sivan. He said that all of the Jews today are descendents of the Jews who kept the Torah, not the Jews who tried to seek enlightenment elsewhere.

The bill passed its first reading 15-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Income Tax Bill

Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) praised the previous bill that severely harms the organized crime syndicates. He explained the amendment would give provident fund tax exemptions on rental income for long term apartment rentals. He expressed hope this will encourage people to put up their additional apartments up for rent since it will be a money making process. He stated this bill should increase the long term rental industry and will lead to more building.

The bill passed its first reading 15-0 and was sent to the Appropriations Committee.

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

Minister Margi explained the amendment would place a ban on people leaving the country if sentenced to community service. He said this will prevent these criminals from leaving the country and never paying their debt to society.

The bill passed its first reading 12-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Criminal Procedure Bill

Minister Margi explained the amendment would impose an obligation on a prisoner who receives early release to sign a paper stating he agrees to avoid committing the same crime again.

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

Amendment to the Evidence Ordinance Bill

 

Minister Margi explained the amendment would repeal the laws regarding military traffic court, which has not existed since 1975.

The bill passed its first reading 15-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Municipalities Ordinance Bill

Minister Margi explained the amendment would allow the municipalities to conduct the elections for internal agricultural committees without the Interior Ministry taking any part of the election. He noted that the bill would take effect in 2018.

The bill passed its first reading 15-0 and was sent to the Environment Committee.

Amendment to the Local Authorities Bill

Minister Margi explained the amendment deals with when and how the government can grant a local authority assistance during an emergency.

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

Two Amendments to the Marriage and Divorce Ordinance Bill

MK Schneller (Kadima) explained his revolutionary breakthrough amendment would allow any Jewish couple to submit a request for registration of marriage with any Israeli city rabbinate they choose. He said the hundreds of Israeli couples that leave Israel to Cyprus every year to register for marriage is worrisome and this bill will allow flexibility to Jewish couples so they can find a rabbi they like in a city they like. He said the bill will require the rabbinate to create a computerized system to follow each step of the marriage registration process. He added the bill requires the rabbi who is registering the couple to speak with the rabbi in both the groom’s and bride’s communities in order to learn more about the couple. He said certain rabbis act problematically towards the couples and no couple should have to be penalized for being trapped in the city in which they live. He stressed they should be free to be registered by any authorized rabbinate rabbi. He concluded that this bill is supported by most rabbis and follows Jewish law.

MK Elkin (Likud) explained he is presenting MK Kirshenbaum’s (Y.B.) bill since she is overseas. He said that her bill is very similar to Schneller’s. Gafni heckled him, and Kadima defended Elkin who was busy smiling and giggling. He explained that the bill will start with a pilot program for 15 cities. He asked what the objection is to the bill since a Rabbi that can register couples who live in Tel Aviv should be able to register couples who don’t live in Tel Aviv.

MK Gafni said that the logic of this bill means that if he doesn’t like the court in Haifa, he should be able to ask to be tried in Be’er Sheva. He said that this Tzohar rabbi bill is dangerous and could cause problems such as a brother marrying his sister. He told Schneller and Elkin that it is unbelievable that two religious guys are trying to break apart Jewish marriage as they know it. He slammed Likud for breaking the status quo when it was the leftist Kadima that supported the ultra-orthodox. He told Schneller that it will be him that causes the separation of religion from state. He told Elkin that he doesn’t speak the truth. He called on the Knesset to oppose the bill.

MK Zuaretz (Kadima) told Gafni that he is driving a wedge between religion and state by refusing to allow technological updates.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) called it a historic bill that is pro-religious and anti-Cyprus. He said this is a big achievement for Kadima because the Kadima national unity government enabled a political atmosphere that allows the advancement of this bill. He noted that this bill had been shelved because of the previous coalition and this bill is one of the reasons why it is a good thing early elections were avoided.

MK Molla said that Gafni puts things in your face. He said the ultra-orthodox don’t want to give up on their control and money and the politicizing of religious issues. He called on them to act as the House of Hillel and not as the House of Shamai. He called orthodox Jews extreme and slammed their behavior towards converts. He said Ethiopian Jews aren’t allowed to get married in most places and this bill will set them free.

MK Zeev (Shas) said that this is a free market bill that allows couples to shop around for the right Rabbi that will believe they are Jewish or that has lower standards. He said in Judaism there are principles and this bill violates them. He slammed the Tzohar rabbis and charged this is an attempt of a hostile takeover of the rabbinate. He said the 55 Tzohar rabbis do their job but to give them more power is very dangerous.

MK Shai (Kadima) said that Gafni should show a little flexibility on this issue and allow this technical change. He stated the bill will help Judaism.

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) said MK Schneller presented a false show. He said this is not an orthodox bill nor does it follow Jewish law. He stressed the chief rabbis and a majority of important rabbis are against this bill. He stated this bill harms tradition. He said that change is not in the Jewish dictionary.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) expressed government for the two bills and called for them being merged into one.

MK Schneller answered Gafni that a religious service is not a court case and if that is what Gafni believes, he has a bitter disagreement with him. He said that this bill will prevent problems, not cause them. He said his bill is not meant for the Tzohar rabbis, it is meant for all rabbis, and for freedom. He went on to praise the Tzohar rabbis who he said praise the name of God. He said this bill is what God wants.

MK Gafni said he apologizes to all the rabbis who will be harmed by this bill. He said his party is viewing this vote as a no-confidence motion against the government.

The first bill passed its first reading 25-8 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

The second bill passed its first reading 28-8 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Law and Administration Ordinance Bill

House Committee Chairman Levin explained the amendment would regulate how committees make technical corrections to bills.

MK Eichler said that Gafni is fighting for future generations so that they will remain Jewish. He said the monopoly of the rabbinate is important and must be maintained. He said that today the world is boycotting Judea and Samaria and tomorrow they will boycott Tel Aviv. He asked if Israel does not support their Judaism, why should the international community? He said that the way Jerusalem Day was covered was very sad since it focused on the negativity towards Jerusalem’s ultra-orthodox community. He said there are some good Tzohar rabbis but the previous bill gave them too much control and power.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) slammed the Israeli Police Commissioner, who has decided to instruct his policemen to ignore laws that prohibit illegal immigrant workers. He said when a policeman decides he is a minister then we have a problem with democracy since it is his job to follow orders not to choose from them selectively. He noted that refugees come with their wives and children, but these illegal immigrants come as only men, which shows their true intentions. He called on the police to bring an end to the rape cases by deporting the illegals.

The bill passed its first reading 20-1 and was sent to the House Committee.

Amendment to the Inheritance Bill

MK Horowitz (Meretz) explained the amendment would equate inheritance rights so that children by adoption will receive rights equal to those of biological children. He said certain people do not know they are adopted and when they find out they are adopted at the age of 50 because of a death in the family, they do not get any inheritance.

MK Ben Ari called on the public to attend public rallies and protests supporting southern Tel Avivians in their struggle against the illegal immigrants. He said inheritance battles tear families apart. He called on people to write a will to correct misunderstandings.

MK Zeev said the Torah (bible) says women and adopted children do not receive inheritance. He said there is a chance someone can receive inheritance from both the biological and adoptive parents at the price of the other siblings.

MK Schneller said a will or present is not inheritance and if the bill changes its language it can fit Jewish law. He said the purpose of the bill is justified but Jewish law should be respected.

MK Maklev said that adopting is important, and the ultra-orthodox community adopts more than the secular population. He said that Jewish law does not prohibit giving to adoptive children, it just prohibits including them if there is no will. He said most of the problems in Israel today concerning adoptive children are because of family rivalries that cut people out, not because of Jewish law. He said that this bill is taking money away from someone else and that is a problem.

 

The bill passed its first reading 20-7 and was sent to the House Committee.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 21, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02478012.doc

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 8: Animal Rights, Coaches and Mortgages

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 2 Comments
May 31, 2012

The Knesset’s Tuesday session lasted about two hours. Three bills were discussed and advanced after passing their first readings. The Knesset seemed to be back to normal after an interesting beginning to the summer session. The bills advanced deal with a wide range of issues from animal protection to sports coaches to dollar mortgage rates.

 

Non-Bills Summary

  • Ten MKs spoke during the one minute speech segment that opened the day.
  • Four MKs asked queries during a question hour with Energy and Water Minister Landau.
  • Deputy Speaker Edery (Kadima) gave a warm speech welcoming the parliament delegation from New Zealand. 

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Sports Bill

Education, Culture and Sport Committee Chairman Miller (Y.B.) explained the amendment would regulate the occupation of sports coaches to meet the accepted European standards. He announced that European coaches who come to work in Israel leave quickly after they learn that they don’t enjoy the same rights as they do in Europe.

MK Khenin (Hadash) praised the bill and expressed his support. He said that all occupations should merit such rights and regulations.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) opted to discuss the sport of violence against his sector of the ultra-orthodox Jews. He gave praise to Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) for adding “Pirkei Avot” to the secular public school system. He went on to discuss violence in sports and in reality shows.

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

Amendment to the Animal Welfare Bill

MK Khenin expressed his support for MK Cabel (Labor) who is running for the head of the Histadrut. He explained the amendment would increase the powers of inspection to ensure proper enforcement of the bill. He said the current bill is not really enforced and many animals are tortured and killed every day.

MK Eichler said that it is sad that when it comes to animals this type of bill receives wall to wall support but when it comes to protecting people, the authority is never extended. He said the environmental and animal rights religion is forcing others to follow their rules but the Jewish religion is taboo. He said that he does not like this bill or the movement behind it. He said the financial resources being spent on this law should go to protecting humans.

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

Amendment to the Standard Contracts Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained the amendment would set a minimum rate on mortgages so that if someone takes one out when it is 4.80 shekels to the dollar and it improves to 3.20 the customer won’t get the bad end of the deal.

MK Eichler praised the bill that will help the little guy and put the greedy big banks in their place. He read a Rabbi’s book that said that Jews will only be allowed to live in Israel if they follow the Torah. He slammed those who incite against the ultra-orthodox, charging they are using the same words the Germans used against the Jews before the Holocaust.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) noted that the previous day marks 30 years since the disengagement from Yamit and its sister settlements. He recalled living there and being evacuated from there. He asked if 30 years later it was worth it. He said that peace is a mask for surrender and retreat. He went on to criticize the deal struck with the hunger striking terrorists. He warned that we haven’t learned our lesson from Yamit and we are at real risk today of retreating into the sea.

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

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 15, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02339712.doc

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 7: New State Comptroller

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The Knesset had two sessions on Monday. The first session, meant solely for choosing the next State Comptroller in a secret ballot vote, lasted about three and a half hours. Later that evening the second session lasted about three hours. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s candidate Shapira was selected as the next State Comptroller. Netanyahu’s 94-MK coalition embarrassed him in the secret vote as Shapira failed to receive the required 61 votes in the first two rounds, forcing a third. Seven bills were discussed. Six bills were advanced after passing their first readings, and one bill became law after passing its third reading. The new law limits the number of visits a prisoner can receive from a lawyer if there is a threat to national security.

 

Non-Bills Summary

  • In the first round of State Comptroller voting 114 MKs participated, and 6 MKs were absent. Joseph Shapira received 58 votes,  Eliezer Rivlin 44 and Shlomo Kalderon 10. Two MKs gave in blank papers.
  • In the second round of voting 111 MKs participated, and nine were absent. Shapira received 59, Rivlin 45, and Kalderon 2, with three blank papers and two disqualified votes.
  • 111 MKs participated in the third and final round of voting between the top two candidates. Shapira won 68 and Rivlin 40, with one blank paper and two disqualified votes.
  • House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced that MK Bar-On (Kadima) will replace Minister Mofaz (Kadima) as the  Knesset’s Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman. He also announced his committee’s decisions on which disputed bills would be discussed in which committees. The decisions were approved 4-1.
  • Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The unity government increases the danger of war’ was defeated 11-26.
  • Labor’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The government’s intention to enact drastic and dangerous cuts in the 2013 budget,  especially in the social field’ was defeated 12-26.
  • Meretz’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The “stinking maneuver” of the unity between the Netanyahu government and Kadima’ was defeated 12-26.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Prison Ordinance Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained the amendment would allow the prison service to limit the number of lawyers that visit a prisoner in Israeli jails if there is a fear that the prisoner-lawyer meetings pose a risk to national security. He explained the previous 2011 amendment limited certain terrorist lawyers’ visits with prisoners but it did not prevent unknown terrorist lawyers from meeting with terrorists who handed over sensitive information to the wrong hands. Prisoners who have finished their appeal process and still receive dozens of lawyer visits a year raise concerns that these lawyer visits are being used as a loophole by the prisoners to engage in terrorist activity. Mafia lawyers also use this loophole to allow their bosses to run things from inside prison. He stressed that it is important to note that this amendment limits the number of lawyer visits but does not prohibit them, adding that a prisoner will be entitled to at least one visit every month. He asked the Knesset to defeat the opposition’s objections to the bill.

MK Horowitz (Meretz) said it is important to protect the basic right of every prisoner to meet with his lawyer as often as he wants for as long as he wants. He spoke against the bill and said that these basic rights should not be limited. He called on the Knesset to defeat the bill, but, if they choose to support the bill, to at least support his party’s objections to it.

MK Khenin (Hadash) started his speech by praising the deal between the security prisoners and the prison service that ended the prisoners’ hunger strike. He went on to express his solidarity with the security prisoners’ position against administrative detention and their living conditions. He praised the accomplishments of the strike by equating most of the Palestinian security prisoners’ rights to those of regular Israeli prisoners but expressed regret that there is still a long way to go. He slammed the current bill as problematic, dangerous and unconstitutional. He said this bill gives the prison authority too much responsibility at the price of lawyer and prisoner rights. He said that he was not convinced there is any terrorist or mafia activity being conducted during prisoner-lawyer meetings. He called this a collective punishment bill that will harm the lawyers’ abilities to do their jobs and the prisoners’ basic democratic rights. He called on the Knesset to defeat the bill or to at least support his objections if they choose to support the bill.

The bill’s paragraphs passed their second readings 14-4 and 16-4.

The objections were defeated 4-14, 4-15, 4-16 and 4-16.

The bill passed its third reading 16-4.

Changing the Social Economy Bill

Deputy Education Minister Moses (U.T.J.) explained the original bill would require the Education Minister to receive the Knesset’s Education Committee’s authorization on the exact payments required from parents for their children’s public schooling. He explained that with public schooling starting at age 3 instead of age 5, the extension of the book loaning program, longer hours for children under the age of 9 and the funding of informal education programs such as youth groups, the government will probably need to raise tuition. He stated this bill will designate 500 million shekels to be utilized to help pay part of the tuition for parents of low socioeconomic background.

MK Khenin stated that public school should be free for all and instead each year it becomes more expensive. He warned this bill will create a two-step educational system where parents will need to be embarrassed in order to receive a discount.  He added that the social justice movements last summer were fighting to lower tuition and not to increase it for some. He called the bill an embarrassment and a disgrace.

The bill passed its first reading 10-1 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Amendment to the Execution Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) explained the amendment would allow accelerated repo proceedings for amounts under NIS 10,000. He said that the pilot plan was successful and this bill will widen the program to most cases under NIS 10,000.

MK Khenin expressed his opposition to the bill on the grounds that it harms poor people. He said that repo proceedings for under NIS 10,000 are almost always against poor people, and an accelerated route will harm them. He said that if the bill passes he will fight it in committee.

The bill passed its first reading 8-2 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Administrative Courts Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch explained the amendment extends the authority of the administrative courts so that they will be able to hear cases on illegal immigrants as well.

MK Khenin spoke in favor of the Africans and said that the border should remain open and that Israel should allow them to work. He blamed the government for the latest wave of violence in the poor neighborhoods because it is the government that places the Africans in those areas, waiting for an explosion. He called on the Knesset to oppose this bill because it will harm the Africans’ rights.

The bill passed its first reading 8-2, with one MK abstaining and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Patents Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch explained the amendment would regulate the patents authority to ensure the extension of protection. He said that a treaty signed by this administration between Israel and the United States requires this amendment to pass in order for the treaty to take effect. He confessed that he had no idea what he just read or what the bill does.

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

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch explained the amendment would delay the new regulations on “sheirut” cab drivers to 2013 with an ability to extend for another three years until 2016 if the Finance Committee authorizes the request.

MK Khenin spoke in favor of sheirut cab services and called for having them operate on the Jewish Sabbath as well. He gave a five minute speech stressing the importance of public transportation on the Sabbath.

The bill passed its first reading 10-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Clean Air Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch explained the amendment would clean up the bureaucracy and make it easier to receive a building permit for factories that cause pollution.

MK Khenin opposed the bill and slammed the government for making it easier for the polluting factories to open up shop.

The bill passed its first reading 8-2 and was sent to the Environment Committee.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 14, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02306212.doc and http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02297712.doc

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 6: Designated Senior Citizen Parking Spaces

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 4 Comments

The Knesset’s Wednesday session lasted a little over seven hours. The new 26-MK opposition embarrassed Prime Minister Netanyahu as MK Ariel (N.U.) found a legal loophole that required Netanyahu to admit that Kadima will be given more than what is written in the 4-page coalition agreement. Netanyahu was forced to call for an hour recess to clarify his legal obligations in terms of what he must report. Speaker Rivlin made a memorable joke that there are more ministers than opposition members, so perhaps they should switch seats. Eight bills were discussed. Four bills were advanced after three passed their preliminary readings and one its first reading. One bill was turned into a motion, two bills were pulled to avoid defeat and one bill was defeated. One of the bills advanced will designate special parking spaces for senior citizens over the age of 75.

 

Non-Bills Summary

 

  • Homefront Security Minister Vilnai (Independence) answered two urgent queries at the beginning of the session.
  • A motion on the wave of violence during the weekend was discussed by 13 MKs and Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.). The motion was sent to the Interior Committee by a 19-0 vote.
  • The government’s request to add Kadima Chairman Shaul Mofaz as a minister was discussed by 33 MKs and Ministers Erdan and Begin (Likud). Mofaz was approved 71-23 and became a minister.
  • Speaker Rivlin announced that the new Opposition Leader will be Labor Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich.
  • A motion marking 67 years since Nazi Germany’s defeat was marked by speeches from Speaker Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Opposition Leader Yachimovich, Immigration and Absorption Minister Landver (Y.B.), Hadash Chairman Barakeh and Holocaust survivor Minister Peled (Likud).

 

Bills Summary

 

Amendment to the Senior Citizens Bill

MK Gafni (U.T.J.) explained the amendment would allocate designated parking spaces in a public place for senior citizens over the age of 75. He said that elderly drivers deserve designated spots closer to the public places.

Deputy Minister Nass (Likud) expressed government support for the bill. She expressed hope this will encourage senior citizens to use their cars more frequently.

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

Amendment to the Discharged Soldiers Absorption Bill

MK Ilatov (Y.B.) explained the amendment would encourage discharged soldiers to learn engineering and technology studies. He said that the shortage of Israeli manpower in these areas is troublesome. He proposed that the solution to overcome the issue is a financial incentive from the country for discharged soldiers.

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) expressed government support for the bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 20-0 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Basic Law: The Right to Housing

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained his proposed Basic Law would anchor the right of every citizen to housing into constitutional law. He said that it is the country’s responsibility to provide housing for every citizen and this will bill will accomplish that.

Education Minister Sa’ar said the government is against the bill because it wasn’t brought up to the Ministerial Committee of Legislative Affairs. He asked Khenin to consider postponing the vote on the bill for a month in order to allow him to submit the bill to the committee. Khenin agreed.

Rewarding Soldiers in Regular Service Bill

MK Peretz (Labor) explained his original bill would pay soldiers minimum wage in the last third of their service. He said that the Defense Ministry is supporting the bill and he doesn’t understand why the government is not supporting it. He said that in the spirit of the Tal Law debate, this bill should be passed.

Coalition Chairman Elkin (Likud) explained that Defense Minister Barak (Independence) supports the bill but the government does not support it. He suggested Peretz delay the vote for two weeks in order to reconcile the differences between Barak’s and the government’s positions. Peretz agreed.

Motion/Amendment to the Employment of Women Bill

MK Schneller (Kadima) explained the amendment would allow employees the right to be absent from work while their spouse in on reserve duty. He said that when a member of the family goes on reserve duty the entire family goes on reserve duty. He noted that the family responsibilities are divided between both parents and sometimes the spouse who is left at home can’t take on both daily task lists. He noted that most reserve soldiers only serve one week a year so the cost of the bill should not be that high. He appealed to the Finance Minister to accept his bill. He agreed to Speaker Rivlin’s request to turn the bill into a motion so it could be discussed in committee.

The motion passed 21-0 and was sent to the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee.

Amendment to the Holocaust Denial Prohibition Bill

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) explained Israeli law defines anyone who is found guilty of Holocaust denial a criminal. He said his amendment would prohibitIsraelfrom negotiating with a Holocaust denier. He confessed that this bill would preventIsraelfrom negotiating with Palestinian leader Abu Mazen. He slammed the leftists for talking about the occupation and conquest ofJudeaandSamaria. He noted that the Knesset sits on conquered land from 1948 where an Arab village once stood. He slammed MK El-Sana (R.T.) for claiming to be a Jebusite (Yevusi) and asked him to say one word in Yevusit. He went on to read Abu Mazen’s doctorate paper on Holocaust denial.

Education Minister Sa’ar said that there is a lot of truth in Ben Ari’s words but the bill he has presented does not enjoy government support. He explained that the government does not see a reason to support this bill because it limits the government’s flexibility and has legal loopholes.

MK Ben Ari confessed he is not a legal expert. He said that common sense would lead normal people to support his bill in principle and work out the details in committee. He went on to criticize the Likud for acting suicidal.

The bill was defeated 4-22.

Authorized Engineers and Technicians Bill

MK Haim Katz (Likud) announced the original bill would regulate the studies and work rules of engineers and technicians.

The bill passed its first reading 24-0 and was sent to the Labor Committee.

Amendment to the Courts Bill

MK Abesadze (Kadima) explained her amendment would highlight the public debate on domestic violence charges by allowing domestic abuse cases to be tried in open hearings.

Education Minister Sa’ar expressed government support for the bill but added that the courts will be given the flexibility to decide which cases will be closed.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 21-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’sMay 9, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/02221012.doc

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Knesset Summer Session 2012 Day 5: 94-MK Coalition

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 4 Comments
May 28, 2012

The Knesset’s Tuesday session lasted about an hour and 15 minutes. It was a short day since everyone had expected early elections to be called the night before. Speaker Rivlin explained that the MKs will have to get back to their normal work.

Non-Bills Summary

  • 16 MKs gave one minute speeches. The main topic was the cancellation of early elections and the new national unity coalition of 94 MKs. Finance Minister Steinitz (Likud) responded at the end to the 16 MKs’ statements.

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s May 8, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: Bug on Knesset website, not available.

 

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