Tag Archive: transportation


Dahaf Yediot Poll: Likud 30, Labor 18, Y.B. 13, Kadima/Yesh Atid 11, Shas 7; Two Scenario Polls

Filed under: Knesset, Polls — 1 Comment
April 30, 2012

The Dahaf poll was published by Yediot Ahronot on April 30th, the opening day of the Knesset’s summer session.

If elections were held today who would you vote for?

Current Knesset seats in [brackets]
30 [27] Likud
18 [08] Labor
13 [15] Yisrael Beitenu
11 [28] Kadima
11 [–] Yesh Atid (Lapid)
07 [11] Shas
06 [05] Yahadut Hatorah/UTJ
05 [03] Meretz
03 [–] Deri
02 [04] National Union
02 [03] Jewish Home
11 [11] Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad
00 [05] Independence
If Deri runs as leader of Shas: Likud 29, Labor 18, Y.B. 13, Yesh Atid 12, Shas 11, Kadima 10

If Livni runs as Lapid’s #2: Likud 29, Yesh Atid 16, Labor 14, Y.B. 13 and Kadima 9

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Knesset Winter Session 2011/2012 Day 62: 25-Bill Day Closes Winter Session

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — Leave a comment
April 26, 2012

The Knesset’s Tuesday session lasted a little less than eight hours. 25 bills were discussed. 16 bills became law after passing their third readings, and nine bills were discussed in their first reading. This was the last meeting of the winter session. The summer session will open on April 30, 2012. The opposition was not very present and allowed the coalition to pass many bills that various opposition parties were against. Although the Knesset embarked on a 39-day spring break after this session, there would be two special sessions called during the recess.

 

Non-Bills Summary

  • Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) and Deputy Health      Minister Litzman (U.T.J.) answered urgent queries to start the session.
  • House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced the      rotation of MKs in a joint subcommittee. He added that MK Itzik (Kadima) will      replace MK Tibi (R.T.) in the Finance Committee. The changes were approved      29-4. He also announced a long list of disputed bills and which committees      will be discussing them.
  • Industry and Trade Minister Simhon (Independence)      announced the government is withdrawing a bill that it placed on the      Knesset’s table for discussion.
  • MK Shama announced the Interior Committee’s request      to correct a technical issue in a bill. It was approved 11-0.

 

Bills Summary

Ethiopian Jewry Heritage Center Bill

Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee Chairman Danon (Likud) explained the original bill would create an Ethiopian Jewry Heritage Center and would focus on archiving and educational programing. He said the center would cost between five and seven million shekels annually and the funding would begin in January 2013. He thanked his co-sponsors.

MK Orlev (J.H.) said he was proud to be one of the many co-sponsors of the bill. He stated that the 5-7 million shekels is nothing and the government should have funded it more. He praised the Ethiopian heritage and expressed his support for the Ethiopian community. He called this a national day of celebration for Ethiopian Jews.

MK Molla (Kadima) expressed his excitement for what he called his most important bill. He said that education is needed to prove to all the doubters that Ethiopian Jews are indeed Jewish. He went on to thank a long list of people who have helped him advance this bill over the course of the last two terms.

The bill passed its second reading 10-0.

The bill passed its third reading 9-0.

Amendment to the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained the amendment would increase competition among the cell phone companies by prohibiting cancellation fees and fines for a cell phone customer who changes service providers. He regretted that this bill will not apply to contracts signed before November 1, 2011. He added that the bill will prohibit false advertisement of cell phone companies such as deals that say the service is 0 NIS when the device costs them thousands of shekels and the customer is unaware. He said this bill will ensure that cell phone devices and cell phone service will be completely separated by January 1, 2013.

The bill passed its second reading 10-0.

The bill passed its third reading 11-0.

Amendment to the Parties Bill

House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) explained the amendment would require a person who is not a member of an existing party and announces his intention to run for the Knesset to register in the official Party Registry before he raises more than NIS 80,000. He said that in the interest of transparency all parties should follow the same rules to prevent unknown private interests from buying a political party by funding it under the radar and. He said that each new party would have to follow every campaign and election rule from the moment they register their party. He thanked MK Khenin for helping him update the bill considerably from the original version with helpful comments.

MK Khenin (Hadash) agreed that transparency is important and needed in the election process. He announced that his objection to this bill is because it is a personal bill directed at Yair Lapid and because it changes the rules of the game in the middle by having several retroactive clauses. He confessed he would have lifted all of his objections if this bill would take affect after the next elections and not before them. He added that this bill might prevent the participation of certain elements within the political process or reduce voter turnout and that is something he opposes.

MK Schneller (Kadima) expressed his support for the purpose of the bill he co-sponsored. He said that equality among the parties is necessary to increase participation in elections. He said that transparency is needed for the public to have trust. He said if the public knew which private interests were running which politicians it might not necessarily change their minds. He confessed that he will not vote for the bill because his party has decided to oppose it.

MK Zahalka (Balad) said hard cases make bad laws. He noted that there have been 18 Knesset elections without this law and this bill is just an obstacle to place in the way of Yair Lapid.

Chairman Levin stressed that this bill does not apply to someone who has not raised money for an election campaign. He stated the problem is more with unknown private interests and the bill does not target an individual’s own finances.

The bill’s paragraphs passed their second readings 33-9-2, 32-12-1 and 33-12-1.

The objections were defeated 9-35-1 and 10-35-1.

The bill passed its third reading 32-13-1.

Amendment to the Higher Education Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained the amendment would require a fee for submitting requests to the Higher Education Council.

The bill passed its second reading 26-8.

The bill passed its third reading 24-6.

Temporary Amendment to the Value Added Tax Bill

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni (U.T.J.) explained the temporary amendment would exempt businesses with a turnover of less than NIS 1,950,000 and six or fewer employees from paying VAT until their product is sold. He said the current system of requiring a small business to pay VAT on a product that might not sell is unacceptable. He said this bill will only take effect in 2017.

Finance Committee Chairman Shama stressed that this temporary amendment must become a permanent amendment and must start in 2013.

Chairman Gafni agreed with Shama and expressed hope that the Finance Minister agrees. He said this will be one of the most important bills that his committee has passed.

The bill passed its second reading 14-0.

The bill passed its third reading 15-0.

Amendment to the Civil Service Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) explained the amendment would update the pensions of policemen and prison servicemen to match the military and the other areas of the defense establishment. He added there would be various retroactive adjustments from 2008 that will be paid by 2018. He said he was proud of this and each one of his committee’s 105 bills that passed their third reading.

The bill passed its second reading 13-0.

The bill passed its third reading 12-0.

Amendment to the Victims of Nazi Persecution Bill

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni explained the amendment would update the terminology in the bill to reflect politically correct terms in order to avoid insulting victims of Nazi persecution with outdated 1950’s terminology.

The bill passed its second reading 8-0.

The bill passed its third reading 5-0.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni explained the amendment would grant the same elderly pensions benefits to widows born before 1931 as those born after 1931. He said the 6,200 women who previously were prohibited from receiving the same benefits will now be able to, and 87 of them will receive additional benefits. He said that he added a chapter at the last minute that will help increase funding for babies born prematurely. He expressed pride in his committee’s 110 bills that were turned into law.

The bill passed its second reading 9-0.

The bill passed its third reading 8-0.

Amendment to the Labor Courts Bill

MK Herzog (Labor) explained the amendment would change the methodology of appointing Labor Court officials to include affirmative action and new qualifications. He added that the bill would also change the way the Labor Court functions and operates by presenting a big upgrade from the current rules and regulations.

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) said this is a monster bill and it has many issues, including the exemption of disabled workers from being able to use the Labor Court. He said that he will propose a bill that fixes the disabled workers issues.

MK Michaeli (Shas) added his concerns for the disabled workers community.

The bill passed its second reading 6-0.

The bill passed its third reading 5-0.

Temporary Amendment Restricting the Use and Registration of Used Car Parts and Actions Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama explained the act of stealing a car and bringing it to the Palestinian Authority to sell it for parts will result in a three year prison sentence. He announced the temporary amendment would become a permanent one if passed.

The bill passed its second reading 3-0.

The bill passed its third reading 3-0.

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama explained the amendment would limit drivers under the age of 24 in a wide range of areas and prevent their license renewal if they cause serious accidents. He added that the age of a driver’s permit will be lowered to 16 years and 9 months.

The bill passed its second reading 3-0.

The bill passed its third reading 3-0.

 

Distribution of Transmissions via Digital Broadcast Stations Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama explained the bill would widen the package of the DTT program from the 5 most basic channels to 18 channels. He said the DTT program of buying a one-time television antenna device without the need for monthly subscription charges has been a success and should grow with the result of this bill. He said five of the channels will be in High Definition and stressed that the price of the DTT device will not be raised as a result of this bill. He revealed that so far 350,000 DTT devices have been sold nationally.

Communications Minister Kahlon (Likud) said there is a difference of opinion in terms of which channels will be included in the DTT upgrade.

Chairman Shama stated the bill would cost over 20 million shekels annually and would take effect gradually until 2014. He called on the Knesset to oppose all of the Finance Minister’s objections to the bill but to support Kahlon’s objection.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) announced that he was withdrawing his ministry’s various objections.

The bills paragraphs passed their second readings 11-0, 14-0 and 15-0.

Kahlon’s objection was accepted 14-0.

The bill passed its third reading 16-0.

Communications Minister Kahlon said that 2.5 million people use either cable or satellite. He said that by increasing the DTT to 18 channels the competition on the cable and satellite providers will increase, leading to a reduction in prices. He thanked a long list of people who helped make this new law a reality.

Firefighting and Rescue National Authority Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) explained that the original bill would finalize the government reform of the firefighting services and transfer the authority from the Interior Ministry to the Homeland Security Ministry. He said the new rules and regulations will present an upgrade for Israel’s firefighting services to match the country’s 21st century needs without hurting the firefighters’ pay checks.

MK Herzog praised the bill that he said will reduce bureaucracy while upgrading the services the firefighters provide. He expressed his disappointment with the workers’ rights to strike and other labor rights that are excluded from this bill. He stated his party will ensure these issues are resolved in committee.

MK Yachimovich (Labor) called the Carmel fire one of the most dramatic moments in Israel’s history that uncovered the weaknesses of the state’s firefighting services. She accused the government of causing those weaknesses by privatizing some of the firefighting services, resulting in the disaster. She expressed satisfaction that the government has agreed to turn back to a Firefighting Authority but warned that labor rights must be protected. She said the current version of the bill that hurts the firefighters’ union is unacceptable. She explained that her party will abstain from the vote on this bill because of the pluses and minuses of the bill. She stated the Labor Party will vote for the final version of the bill if these issues are resolved. She stressed that Aharonovitch could not convince her otherwise.

MK Braverman (Labor) praised Aharonovitch for his attempt to finalize the reform. He recalled Aharonovitch’s positive term as the Police Chief of the south while he was serving as President of Ben Gurion’s University. He agreed that his colleague Yachimovich had good points. He expressed confidence this bill will address the concerns of both Aharonovitch and Yachimovich.

MK Azoulay (Shas) said that it is unfortunate that the only reason this reform was advanced was the Carmel fire and slammed the Finance Minister for his role in holding up the bill this long. He expressed support for the bill in its entirety, although he said he is leaving room for additional changes.

MK Sheetrit (Kadima) stated that when he was Interior Minister in Olmert’s administration he finalized the draft of the reform bill that is being offered today. He defended the bill, stressing that a firefighter’s job is too important to allow them to strike, and disbanding the unions in order to create a single firefighting union will save the country millions of shekels. He expressed regret that Olmert’s administration fell before he had a chance to advance this bill.

MK Khenin said that the Carmel fire taught us that the firefighting force in Israel is underfunded and this bill has many benefits in that regard. He said the bill is missing the necessary functions to protect the labor rights of the firefighting force. He said that it is undemocratic to take away their right to strike.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) said that the Carmel fire was a disaster, but that day’s funeral of the Toulouse victims is another fire that should be recognized. He eulogized Rabbi Sheinberg, who passed away at the age of 102.

MK Zeev (Shas) slammed the MKs for connecting the Carmel fire and the firefighting reform. He stressed that these two issues are separate and this reform will not save a bus of prison service people in the future. He slammed the State Comptroller for blaming people for the Carmel fire for political reasons. He noted that he has been fighting for this reform since 2002 and he is proud to see this bill finally being advanced. He asked why the firefighters are allowed to use 16 year olds to put out fires when the government decides it is raising the age of marriage to 18.

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch said that he worked on this bill for a long time and asked that the Knesset approve it. He said that the State Comptroller will answer the Carmel fire questions. He said that the labor rights of the firefighters will not be harmed and that the union is supporting this bill. He said there will be changes made in committee and those opposing the bill will be doing the firefighting union a disservice.

The bill passed its first reading 25-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee. Two Labor MKs were present but did not vote.

Amendment to the Treatment of Mental Patients Bill

Justice Minister Neeman explained the amendment would attempt to prevent mental patients who commit murder from being released after they make a full mental recovery by creating a committee that will discuss each case before making a decision on releasing the patient. He said the committee will also discuss the terms of their imprisonment and their vacation time.

MK Eichler said the problem with incitement is that every community has mentally unstable people who take action as a result of the incitement. He called for treating those who cause incitement, not just those who answer the call.

MK Sheetrit supported the bill and recalled his struggle with this issue while he was Justice Minister. He said the current situation of mentally unstable people who get well and are released after two or three years in an asylum without doing any time in prison is unacceptable. He told the judges to stop having mercy on murderers in general and to stop with these ridiculous murder sentences of five years.

MK Zeev slammed the courts’ willingness to accept most murderers claims that they were insane while committing the murder. He blasted the lawyers for preparing the defendants for their insanity pleas. He said that a punishment of 15 years in prison or an asylum will prevent murder because jail or asylum sentences of two to three years is not preventing murder cases and almost encourages them.

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

Amendment to the Companies Bill

Justice Minister Neeman explained the amendment would require the appointment of an expert to examine the debt settlement of company bonds in government companies. He said this measure will help the financial stability of these government companies and will allow the control of the bonds to move from shareholder to shareholder a lot more easily. He explained that the expert will be heavily regulated in terms of what is examined and what is disclosed.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) decided to talk about the government lottery company and the wasteful spending of their marketing department. He slammed their policy of targeting the lower income brackets. He called on neutering them and preventing them from prying on innocent blue collar workers. He revealed that he has a bill that will prohibit such marketing.

MK Sheetrit slammed the Knesset for suddenly adding new bills to the day’s agenda. He said it is unfair to add new bills when most of the MKs have gone home. Deputy Speaker Levi Abukasis (Y.B.) supported the Knesset’s decision.

MK Eichler noted that in the United States government companies must give 25% to charitable organizations, while in Israel there is no such obligation. He called on the Israeli people to give charity to the poor so they can celebrate the Passover holiday.

MK Sheetrit expressed support for the bill but stressed that it will not go far enough. He said that the haircuts the investors enjoy will not be affected by the deal. He decided that in the end he will oppose the bill. He slammed the connections between investors and primary owners.

MK Zeev disagreed with Sheetrit’s assertion that this bill helps the tycoons. He stressed there is a difference between business investors and business owners and they should be treated differently. Zeev and Sheetrit got into a biblical argument on what the commentator Rashi said on a verse that deals with rich people.

The bill passed its first reading 4-1 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Companies Bill

Justice Minister Neeman explained the amendment would change the terms of office and employment in public companies, as well as various updates with their bonds and shareholding regulations. He said it is important to regulate how people are elected to the directorate and how the directorate functions, as well as the responsibilities and authority of the C.E.O.

MK Sheetrit said this is another complicated issue that can be resolved a lot more easily with simple ceilings on government company salaries and regulations on dividends. He slammed the Kupot Gemel managers who have not raised any money for the public in six years and have made millions for themselves from public funds.

MK Yachimovich called the bill ridiculous and without any teeth. She wondered what took Neeman two years of discussions to bring this ridiculous bill in place of her far-reaching bill. She slammed Rami Levy for harming his workers’ rights and called him a dictator. She announced a long list of C.E.O.s who she claimed harm worker’s rights. She slammed Supersol for firing 600 workers in a second wave of layoffs while the five managers are raking in millions of shekels a year. She said that she will bring her bill back after the recess since Neeman’s is a joke.

MK Sheetrit once again complained that the government was adding additional bills to the agenda without the consent of the opposition. Deputy Speaker Akunis (Likud) told Sheetrit that it isn’t his problem only a handful of opposition MKs decided to stay in the Knesset.

MK Khenin said this is a worrisome bill since it doesn’t meet the needs of the people and doesn’t bring social justice. He slammed the bill that he said has a twisted capitalistic feel. He said the idea that bonuses help encourage the worker to do a better job is disconnected from reality.

MK Zeev said that the opposition is going a little too far with their assertions and refuse to recognize the positive aspects of the bill. He noted conflict of interest issues exist everywhere including the Knesset who appoints their own State Comptroller. He told the opposition that they should support these changes and add certain things in the committee or the next amendment. He agreed that there is a lot of corruption but stressed this is a step forward.

The bill passed its first reading 12-3 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Consumer Protection Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama explained the amendment would prevent the expiration date on food stamps within five years. He added that the amendment would also prevent different amounts on the food stamps based on the different shopping outlets.

The bill passed its first reading 6-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Consolidation of Telephone Emergency Centers Bill

MK Maklev (U.T.J.) explained the original bill would consolidate the telephone emergency centers of the police, ambulances and firefighters into a single telephone emergency center. He said the exact number will be discussed in committee and the American 911 and European 112 are options on the table.

MK Shama called on the government to use both 911 and 112, and send the caller to the same emergency center. He stressed the current numbers of 100, 101 and 102 are still being used.

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

Amendment to the Planning and Building Bill

House Committee Chairman Levin explained the amendment would allow the transfer of surplus taxes of infrastructure programs to a dedicated fund for education improvement. He said this will encourage the local municipalities to streamline their programs by promising them the change for their educational programs. He noted that the programs will not spend more than 75 shekels on each student which is meant to encourage the local municipalities to include all children in these programs. He thanked the Kiryat Uno Mayor for bringing this idea to his attention.

MK Zeev said this bill limits the municipality to a 10% ceiling and excludes funding anything that isn’t education. He blasted the bill and said the municipalities aren’t doing their job if they have extra change. He said that this is an illogical bill, but he will support it.

MK Ben Ari congratulated the Likud government on their three year anniversary. He slammed the government for opposing MK Yaakov Katz’s natural growth bill that would have allowed building in his settlement of Karnei Shomron. He said that Minister Begin wasn’t telling the truth when he said that he is attending the red ribbon event at the newest Karnei Shomron building site. He said there are around 2,000 families that total 7,200-7,300 residents in his settlement. He said that there are 110-120 couples who get married every year in Karnei Shomron and there haven’t been any new programs for ten years in the settlement aside from the 42 units that were approved this year. He slammed the Likud for freezing the settlements in Judea and Samaria. He accused the Likud of planning on destroying Judea and Samaria just like they destroyed Yamit and Gush Katif.

The bill passed its first reading 9-0 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Amendment to the Mines Ordinance Bill

MK Ariel (N.U.) explained the amendment would prohibit receiving or purchasing materials that were dug from a quarry without a license. He revealed that people who watch the Knesset Channel and send him ideas for laws have been rewarded with many of the ideas becoming law and this is another one. He announced the punishment would be a maximum jail sentence of six months and a NIS 75,000 fine, which would be doubled if it is a company and not an individual. He said that those who break this law will meet an increased presence of relevant government officials in the known areas. He concluded by wishing a Happy Passover to the MKs, Knesset workers and all of the Jewish people in Israel.

MK Ben Ari slammed those who illegally removed Israeli mountains, mostly in Judea and Samaria. He asked Ariel to add to the bill the prevention of exporting quarry materials by land and by sea.

MK Levin said this is an important bill and he supports it 100%. He said it is an economic and environmental bill. He slammed the government for the selected enforcement of laws in Judea and Samaria. He expressed hope they will enforce this law in Judea and Samaria. He praised those who decide to propose bills to MKs and agreed with Ariel that there should be more citizens who do so.

MK Zeev slammed the Bedouins for stealing Israel’s precious resources, such as sand, and selling it to our enemies. He slammed the government for not doing more in Judea and Samaria’s Area C. He praised the bill and called on Israel to do more to enforce it.

The bill passed its first reading 11-0 with one MK abstaining and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Broadcasting Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama mocked the MK who told him that he would run down the Castel naked if this bill ever got passed. He explained this bill would complete the reform in the public broadcasting sector and looks drastically different from the first version of the bill. He took pride in the checks and balances that take the politics out of public broadcasting. He said that all promises were kept and this will bill will provide Israelis with a real service that will make them proud to pay the television tax. He said that there will be hundreds of layoffs and there will be many buildings sold. He added that former MK Oron would be proud of this bill.

MK Eichler said that 3% of the population has 97% of the airtime and the point of the reform was to put an end to that. He said if Reka got nine million shekels then Moreshet deserves three million shekels. He added that the requirement of university for employees should be removed. He said there are a lot of issues with the 40 paragraphs of the bill and some of them should be changed. He agreed to remove his four objections when Shama told him that most of his concerns were resolved in the fine print. Eichler concluded that public broadcasting should reflect all colors of Israeli society.

MK Khenin said that he is in a problematic situation as the lone opposition MK in the room and can’t present the objections from Meretz and the other opposition MKs because they chose to go home early. He went on to praise the public broadcasting ideals and slammed the reform that he said does not remove politics from public broadcasting. He said that it is dangerous to allow the Prime Minister to interfere with public broadcasting and the reform doesn’t touch that. He slammed the exclusion of Arabs from most aspects of the reform. He concluded that the exclusion of Israeli original programming in the reform is also troublesome.

The bill passed its second reading 10-1.

The bill passed its third reading 10-1.

Temporary Amendment to the Electricity Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama explained the amendment would subsidize electricity for the poor with a budget of 80 million shekels annually. He slammed the opposition MKs who complain about electricity prices all year to the coalition but are absent from supporting a bill that subsidizes electricity for the poorest Israelis. He announced that around 80,000-100,000 families will receive a 50% subsidy, which will take effect in January 2013.

The bill’s paragraphs passed their second reading 8-0, 8-1 and 9-0.

Finance Minister Steinitz’s sole objection was defeated 0-10 and 1-8.

The bill passed its third reading 11-0 and 10-0.

There were two sets of voting due to Deputy Speaker Akunis’s mistake.

Amendment to the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama explained the amendment would open up the information service license to other numbers besides 144 and to other companies. He called this a market driven bill that will lead to better service.

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

Amendment to the Consumer Protection Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama explained the amendment would allow a consumer to cancel a service ahead of time in return for a 5% penalty, NIS 100, a full cash refund or a coupon for using that service another time, depending on the circumstances of the deal.

The bill passed its second reading 9-0.

The bill passed its third reading 8-0.

Amendment to the Consumer Protection Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama explained the amendment would require companies that have ongoing monthly transactions to send a statement of yearly transactions in March to the consumer. He noted that this will prevent companies from charging consumers for services that are over a year old.

The bill passed its second reading 11-0.

The bill passed its third reading 11-0.

MK Maklev thanked the Knesset for approving his bill and called it an amazing consumer protection bill.

Speaker Rivlin announced that between May 14 and May 16 the election for the State Comptroller will take place. He noted that 10 MKs can submit the candidacy of a non-political figure for the election. He went on to thank all of his assistants and the various Knesset workers, employees, security detail and others for an amazing term. He wished everyone a Happy Passover and told the MKs he would see them on April 30 at 4 PM. He closed the winter session.

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

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/01693512.doc

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Knesset Winter Session 2011/2012 Day 60: Civil and National Service Bills Advanced, Modeling and Divorce Bills Passed

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 2 Comments
March 27, 2012

The Knesset’s Monday session lasted exactly eight hours, ending atmidnight. 20 bills were discussed. Nine bills became law after passing their third readings, nine were advanced after passing their first readings, and two were advanced after passing their preliminary readings. The Knesset’s last chance to topple Netanyahu’s government before spring break was unsuccessful, ensuring the survival of the government until July 30 at the earliest. Among the interesting bills that became law were ones placing restrictions on the modeling industry as well as increasing sanctions in messy divorce cases. Among the interesting bills advanced were two dealing with civil and national service.

 

Non-Bills Summary

  • Kadima’s no-confidence motion titled ‘The Netanyahu government’s tax hurts the middle class and continues to raise the price of fuel and electricity’ was defeated 34-48 with 38 MKs not present.
  • Labor and Meretz’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The Netanyahu government’s failure in the political, economic and social sectors’ was defeated 32-49 with 39 MKs not present.
  • Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The rise in electricity and fuel prices along with the neglect of the universities and colleges’ was defeated 27-48 with 45 MKs not present.
  • MK Adatto (Kadima) announced the Labor, Welfare and Health Committee’s request to correct a technical flaw in a bill. It was approved 7-0.
  • Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) announced his committee’s request to correct a technical flaw in a bill. It was approved 10-0.
  • Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) answered 10 queries at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Income Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) explained the amendment will keep women who leave battered shelters on welfare for a month after they leave. He called on the Knesset to oppose the government objection.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) said the government objection would limit the way the welfare is distributed.

The bill’s paragraphs passed its second readings 56-0, 60-0 and 59-0.

The government objection was accepted 32-25, although Chairman Katz and Speaker Rivlin voted against it.

The bill passed its third reading 60-0.

MK Gal-On (Meretz) thanked the Knesset for approving her bill and slammed the government for its objection that watered it down.

Amendment to the Sport Driving Bill

Education, Culture and Sport Committee Chairman Miller (Y.B.) explained the amendment would transfer the responsibility of the bill to the Culture and Sport Minister.

The bill passed its second reading 34-0.

The bill passed its third reading 36-0.

Amendment to the Magen David Adom Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained the amendment would authorize Magen David Adom to be allowed to charge money for a service even if there is no ambulance ride. He asked the Knesset not to approve the government’s objection.

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen explained the government objection would take away the power of Katz’s committee on the implementation of the bill and keep it within Cohen’s ministry.

The bill’s paragraphs passed its second readings 38-0 with one MK abstaining, 42-1 and 37-1.

The government’s objection was accepted 26-12.

The bill passed its third reading 38-1.

Amendment to the Environmental Protection Bill

Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Cohen (Shas) explained the amendment would require that the reports, requirements and documentation of factories’ pollution emissions into the environment be available on the ministry website. He said this would bring transparency to how each factory is harming the environment. He suggested that the transparency will lead to factories cleaning up their act.

MK Khenin (Hadash) thanked the government and coalition for supporting his bill and his initiative.

The bill passed its second reading 33-0.

The bill passed its third reading 32-0.

Environment Minister Erdan (Likud) thanked the Knesset for approving the bill and for bringing environmental justice to an OECD nation.

Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill

Coalition Chairman Elkin (Likud) explained the amendment would give tax breaks to public institutions and non-profits that encourage operation in the settlements. He said that the country isn’t encouraging settlements so it is important to give a pat on the back to the people who are encouraging settlement in Israel. He rejected claims that Judea and Samaria residents will benefit from this bill and stressed that this bill is meant to help the Galil and Negev. He said it is very sad that there are MKs who have decided to oppose the bill because there is the shadow of a doubt that settlers in Judea and Samaria might benefit.

MK Molla (Kadima) said that Elkin’s tricks are known to the public. He said the Negev and Galil have nothing to do with this bill and this bill has Judea and Samaria written all over it. He said he was surprised that Funds Chairman Gafni was suckered into this bill and that Elkin pulled one over on him. He slammed the Independence Party for supporting this bill and the settlement in Judea and Samaria. He said that Israel will eventually leave Judea and Samaria so there is no reason to waste billions of shekels there.

MK Avital (Kadima) asked why the word “Zionist” was removed from the settlement bill and suggested that it isn’t a kosher bill. He said this bill cannot be supported if it is not clear who will benefit from this bill and who will not.

MK Schneller (Kadima) praised the bill and slammed his Kadima friends. He said someone who votes against this bill is voting against the Zionist enterprise. He asked why Judea and Samaria residents are not allowed to receive education or funding for other necessary items. He asked why a Zionist party would vote against Negev and Galil, because it might help Judea and Samaria too. He told Kadima they are running away from Zionism and the rest of the country. He said it is an embarrassment to try and politicize Zionism.

MK Khenin said the bill is dangerous and problematic. He charged this is a political bill that goes against international law, The Hague’s decisions, and the fourth Geneva Convention since it encourages settlements across the 1967 borders. He said that Zionism has no place in Israeli law or within the Israeli state.

MK Agbaria (Hadash) slammed Israel for the 500 Arab villages that were destroyed in the 1948 war and replaced with Jewish settlements. He slammed Israel for stealing land from the Bedouins today in order to build more Jewish homes. He said this summer will lead to another social justice movement that will protest the money being poured into Jewish settlements. He told the government to stop lying and just tell the truth already.

MK Zahalka (Balad) said that Elkin has brought Israel to the lowest moral point ever with this bill and it shows that he isn’t embarrassed of anything. He asked how Elkin can fine human right’s non-profits with one bill and give incentives to those who break international law in a different bill. He said that not only is Judea and Samaria Arab land, but the Negev and Galil are also Arab land that should not be given to Jewish hands.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) blasted MK Avital, telling the former head of the elite Matkal unit that he has lost his mind. He said that Zionism is Israel and Israel is Zionism. He slammed the Arab MKs for saying that Lod, Nazarith and Be’er Sheva are illegal Jewish settlements. He said Zionism is not a bad word and should be supported by the Jewish MKs. He slammed Jews for telling the army to go to hell.

MK Shnaan (Independence) said that he supports the bill because Zionism was taken out of the bill and non-Jewish settlements will receive the same benefits as Jewish ones.

MK Elkin said that Kadima’s position means that no bill should include a connection to Judea and Samaria. He told Kadima they should be ashamed of themselves.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Edelstein (Likud) stressed that anyone who read the bill knows that Judea and Samaria isn’t part of the bill. He said he doesn’t understand how a bunch of MKs came up and gave speeches that have nothing to do with the bill.

The bill passed its first reading 34-14 and was sent to the Funds Committee.

MK Avital gave a war story from the 1982 war. He said the question of the definition of Zionism is the most important political issue on the table. He said he is more Zionistic than Ben Ari and Ben Ari should shut up.

Civil Service Bill

Science and Technology Minister Hershkowitz (J.H.) explained the original bill will define how the civil service and national service operate. He said national service has been around since the 1970s when the national religious girls started giving back to their community and, after several expansions, has grown to more than 15,000 volunteers. He said the Supreme Court instructed the government to regulate civil service in legislation and that is what this bill accomplishes. He said this bill doesn’t really change anything because it finalizes the status quo of civil service in law. He rejected claims that civil or national service should be mandatory and warned this would lower the number of volunteers. He thanked the civil service members for giving to their communities even though they are not required to by law.

MK Eichler (U.T.J.) asked who is a citizen. He went on to slam the theory that those who don’t serve in the military or civil service should not be entitled to citizens’ rights. He called Yisrael Beitenu a racist party against Arabs and religious Jews. He said that ultra-orthodox Jews who have ten children are also performing civil service and are doing a great service to their country. He asked why ultra-orthodox volunteer institutions like Yad Sarah or Zaka or Hatzala are not part of civil service.

MK Zahalka said that the bill talks about volunteers and not a mandatory service; however, it places sanctions on people who don’t volunteer, which turns the service into a mandatory one. He said that his Arab youth cannot be a part of this Jewish strategy and won’t be a part of this Zionist education. He said this is an attempt to take away citizenship rights.

MK Zoabi (Balad) said the Arabs look at this bill as a political ideology bill that goes against democratic principles of citizenship. She said this bill is not legitimate and it is injustice. She said that the inequality of requiring a citizen to do something to earn citizenship is unspeakable. She said that whoever gives her rights won’t get gratitude from her. She said her citizenship isn’t a present and she won’t thank the country for not throwing out her family in 1948.

MK Ben Ari explained how he educates his eight children about their rights and duties. He told Zoabi that every citizen has rights and duties, something that exists in every normal country. He said equality means paying income tax and VAT, something the Arabs don’t feel like doing. He said affirmative action is failing this country. He said he will oppose the bill because they are calling national service civil service in order not to offend those who reject the state.

MK Herzog (Labor) said many Arabs and Jews want to serve in the civil service but there isn’t room for them. He called on Hershkowitz to find more room and expand the civil service to include them.

MK Agbaria said that sharing the burden isn’t just about the military; it is about health, education and other things too. He said civil service isn’t just for Arabs. He charged the government is trying to make the Arabs servants. He said certain Arabs have decided they are Arab until the age of 18, are Israeli from 18-19 during the civil service and are Arab again from 19 on.

MK Sarsur (R.T.) said that Arabs like volunteering, but this bill doesn’t create a volunteering society. He said that if the civil service is distributed to benefit the Arab municipalities then they can get behind it rather than deciding Arabs will go and help Jews in Jewish municipalities. He said the Arab and Druze people are the ones who need the benefit of a civil service, not the Jewish people.

MK Ganaim (R.T.) said that the Arabs built this country and led the construction efforts until today. He charged that the Arabs don’t trust the Jews and don’t feel that they are equal, which is why they do not want to serve in the civil service. He said as long as civil service is somehow connected to the military, the Arab country will reject it as it rejects the military.

MK Tibi (R.T.) said a volunteering bill is an oxymoron. You can’t force a person to volunteer and that is why this bill will fail. He said there are Arabs who want to volunteer but they don’t trust the system or the government. He charged the Arabs who do civil service do so because of financial reasons and they later regret it.

MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) said that equality is important, but it is a two-way street. He said that duties and rights go hand and hand. He said he wants equal opportunity for Arabs in infrastructure and education too, but it needs to also be in community service. He said that this bill is running away from the problem that everyone needs to be part of the burden. He called on the Arabs and ultra-orthodox Jews to serve in the civil service and give back to the country.

MK Zeev (Shas) said the bill simply defines what the civilian service is and what it means. He said this bill isn’t forcing anyone to do anything and they should read the bill before opposing it.

MK El-Sana (R.T.) said civil service is not volunteering. He said there is no equality since the Arabs have the highest unemployment and no opportunities. He said this bill isn’t good for the Muslims, so he won’t support it.

Science and Technology Minister Hershkowitz said he doesn’t believe his ears. He said this bill doesn’t change who serves and who doesn’t serve. He said 13,000 of the 15,000 who participate in civil service are national religious girls. He asked why the Arabs are up in arms against this bill since it doesn’t really apply to them. He said there is no mandatory aspect to this bill, and it is not meant to deal with the problems of inequality in society. He said both Jews and Arabs receive support from the national service girls who work in hospitals. He said this bill has nothing to do with the military since it is the Science and Technology Minister who is presenting it. He said providing them with free transportation to and from volunteering has nothing to do with basic citizen rights. He said this bill doesn’t give any citizen rights to those who serve and told the Arab MKs that they should have read the bill.

The bill passed its first reading 18-12 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill.

Right for National Service Bill

MK Orlev (J.H.) took credit for Hershkowitz’s bill that he said he wrote back in 2004 when he was a minister. He said this bill would eliminate the budget restraints on the national service and allow whoever wants to serve in the national service to do so. He said the bill would force the national service to find a place for every volunteer.

MK Zahalka opposed the bill. He said this bill splits the citizens into two groups, those who served the country and those who did not serve the country. He said the two different packages of rights for the two groups are unfair and discriminatory. He said the Supreme Court is being changed to lean more to the right, and these new laws might be allowed to stand.

The bill passed its first reading 16-6 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill.

Pawning Bill

Transportation Minister Katz (Likud) explained the bill will increase the competition among the credit card companies as well as regulate the insurance and interest policies on credit.

MK Eichler eulogized the massacre of the Jews in France. He spoke about his latest visit to France, where the Jews live behind iron gates and live with anti-Semitism. He talked about the media bias in France, which is pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel. He slammed the E.U. Foreign Minister for her words, which he said were anti-Semitic. He said the delegitimacy of the Jews and Israel in the press leads to these types of massacres.

MK Ben Ari said that every day rockets hit the south and yet the Israeli press tells us that it is silent down there. He said the 70% success of the iron dome project is not acceptable and stressed it must be higher. He said that as a customer of the defense establishment he demands 100% security, not 70% security. He said there are a weak defense system and a weak government in place.

The bill passed its first reading 17-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Military Cemeteries Bill

Transportation Minister Katz explained the amendment would give policemen, prison guards, Mossad agents, Shabak agents and other defense establishment personal the same rights that the military provides their own according to the bill.

The bill passed its first reading 14-0 and was sent to the House Committee to determine which committee will discuss the bill.

 

Amendment to the Placing Resuscitation Devices in Public Places Bill

Transportation Minister Katz explained the amendment would give the Industry and Trade Minister additional authority to implement this bill according to how he sees fit.

MK Zeev said this was a very good bill and he supports it fully.

The bill passed its first reading 16-0 and was sent to the Health Committee.

Amendment to the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Bill

Transportation Minister Katz explained the amendment would increase the financial sanctions on companies that violate the bill.

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

Environmental Solution for Electrical Items, Electronic Equipment and Batteries Bill

Environment Minister Erdan explained the bill would come up with an environmental solution for dealing with electronic waste. He said that every year there is 85,000 tons of electronic waste and this bill will lower that by implementing government programs such as recycling or requiring electronic suppliers to take back old appliances when new ones are bought.

MK Zeev said it is an important bill and he supports it. He said that he is worried that gangs will start buying into the electronic waste programs and make money off melting the materials down.

MK Khenin said the health and environment concerns of electronic waste are worrisome and this is a great way to solve the situation. He said that although it is less than 1% of all waste, it is 70% of the dangerous type of waste.

MK Ben Ari asked why the price tag Jewish terrorists are in the headlines, but when an Ashkelon man is killed by an Arab there is not one headline. He went on to list other murders of Jews at the hands of Arabs and slammed those who choose to keep nationalistic crimes quiet. He said equality means equality in everything. He said that although a soldier was stabbed by an Arab in the light rail of Jerusalem, it wasn’t called nationalistic. He discussed a long list of similar crimes.

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

Temporary Amendment Restricting the Use and Registration of Used Car Parts and Actions Bill

Transportation Minister Katz explained the amendment would result in theft prevention by increasing supervision in Israeli garages. He said it is increasingly difficult for Arabs to sell off parts of a car to Israeli garages with a drop of 37% in past years, and this bill will make it even more difficult. He said the amendment will go from a temporary to a permanent amendment as well.

The bill passed its first reading 17-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Payment to Former Captives Bill

Coalition Chairman Elkin announced the amendment would raise the welfare payment for former captives over the age of 80 by 25%. He said 1,350 of the 1,700 former captives are over the age of 80 and will benefit from this bill.

The bill passed its second reading 11-0.

The bill passed its third reading 11-0.

MK Yoel Hasson thanked the Knesset for approving his bill and for helping the small and decreasing number of former captives. He said this bill, which was fast tracked in two weeks, will lead to an increase in welfare starting Passover eve.

Amendment to the Municipal Taxes and Government Taxes Ordinance Bill

MK Gilon (Meretz) explained the amendment would grant municipal tax exemptions to protected factories that employ the mentally challenged. He said this bill will assist these protected factories, which are in danger of closing. He thanked Noga Goldfinger for helping him with his bill.

The bill passed its second reading 8-0.
The bill passed its third reading 8-0.

Weight Restriction in the Modeling Industry Bill

MK Adatto (Kadima) explained the bill is meant to restrict hiring models under a certain BMI as well as photoshopping without including a note that a photo is not natural. She said that this would help fight eating disorders since little girls would not look at skinny as attractive. She said this bill will become law on January 1, 2013. She thanked her co-sponsor, MK Maklev (U.T.J.), for helping her throughout this process. She said that anorexia affects 1,500 victims in Israel every year and many unfortunately end up as fatalities. She went on to thank a long list of people who helped as well as the media that helped advance this bill.

The bill passed its second reading 10-0.

The bill passed its third reading 10-0.

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

MK Adatto explained her amendment would increase the punishment for assaulting a social worker. She said that she received special permission to bring up this bill and merge it in committee with a similar bill.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 7-0 and was sent to the Justice Committee.

Amendment to the Rabbinical Courts Bill

MK Herzog explained the amendment would change the time table on holding judgments on the law of divorce in order to reduce the waiting period between court dates at the Rabbinate. He added that the bill also increases the sanctions the Rabbinate can place on someone who doesn’t agree to the court ordered divorce.

MK Orlev said that he hopes his bill will require the courts to use more sanctions and that he had hoped for a stronger, far-reaching bill. He slammed the government for splitting some of his bill off but called on the Knesset to approve the bill anyway.

MK Schneller told a story of how this bill has already convinced a man to agree to give in and divorce his wife. He thanked Israeli Chief Rabbi Amar for agreeing to support this bill and suggested the Supreme Court would never agree to allow the Knesset’s restrictions on them. He thanked a long list of Rabbis for being helpful with the bill. He also thanked his assistant Jonathon Javor.

The bill passed its second reading 11-1.

The bill passed its third reading 9-1.

Deputy Speaker Maklev did not give a reason for his objection to the bill.

Amendment to the Civil Defense Bill

MK Levi-Abekasis (Y.B.) explained the amendment would establish a wireless internet network connection in bomb shelters of border municipalities. She said that the youth who wait in bomb shelters during rocket attacks are in distress and bored. She suggested that an internet connection will help the youth pass the time and will make their stay there more comfortable. She said this way people can also listen to radio, watch television and keep informed in other methods through the internet.

The bill passed its preliminary reading 4-0 and was sent to the Welfare Committee.

Amendment to the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Bill

Women’s Rights Committee Chairwoman Hotovely (Likud) explained the amendment would allow people to call emergency abuse help centers and have that information wiped from telephone records, as well as make sure those calls are free. She said that women and children who are sexually or physically abused should be protected from the abusive person who could find out about the calls.

The bill passed its second reading 6-0.

The bill passed its third reading 3-0.

Deputy Speaker Levi-Abekasis thanked the Knesset for approving her bill and thanked Bezeq for agreeing not to charge for calls made to these emergency call centers.

________________________________________________________________

This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’sMarch 19, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/01624512.doc

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Knesset Winter Session 2011/2012 Day 58: Druze and Chief Rabbis

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — 1 Comment
March 19, 2012

The Knesset’s Tuesday session lasted about two and a half hours. Eight bills were discussed. One bill became law after passing its third reading, and seven bills were advanced after passing their first readings. The new law expands Druze representation in public service. An interesting bill advanced allows the Israeli Chief Rabbi to run for another term.

 

Non-Bills Summary

* 12 MKs gave speeches during the one minute speech segment that opened the day. National Science Day was recognized by most of the speakers.

* A motion marking National Science Day was discussed by Science and Technology Minister Hershkowitz (J.H.) and three MKs.

* House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced which disputed bills would be discussed in which committees. The Knesset approved the decisions 10-0.

* Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) answered a query at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Expanding Druze Community Representation in the Public Service Bill

Justice, Law and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained the amendment would require expanding the Druze community’s representation in the public sector as well as in municipalities where they make up 10% or more of the population. He said Israelis owe a lot to the Druze and this bill is a way to give back to them.

MK Amar (Y.B.) thanked Rotem for helping him advance his bill that helps his Druze community. He also thanked his party, Yisrael Beitenu, for having his back and the Druze’s back.

MK Levin (Likud) thanked his co-sponsor Amar and Chairman Rotem for pushing through this bill that pays back the country’s dues to the Druze. He said the Druze deserve an identity that is separate from the Arab population.

The bill passed its second reading 9-0.

The bill passed its third reading 9-0.

Amendment to the Handicap Parking Bill

MK Gilon (Meretz) announced that 5,100 parking tickets were given to handicap licensed cars that were following the laws, as opposed to 6,100 parking tickets to violators of handicap parking laws. He said his amendment would prohibit parking tickets for handicapped licensed people who are not in violation of handicap parking laws.

The bill passed its first reading 5-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Penal Code Bill

MK Shai (Kadima) explained the amendment would extend the prohibition of doctors having sex with a patient to therapists and alternative medicine practioners as well. He said it is unacceptable that psychologists, social workers and alternative doctors are allowed to use their position to sleep with patients with no punishment.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) said that apparently there are no nationalistic crimes or terror in Israel. He accused Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) of instructing his officers to coach victims of nationalistic crimes on how to leave out certain parts of their testimony. He gave a few examples. He suggested the motives are that the government doesn’t want to give out the welfare payments nationalistic victims are entitled to but which regular victims do not receive.

MK Levin praised the bill. He said criminologists and polygraph workers should also be regulated, and every occupation should have set boundaries.

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

Amendment to the Supervision of Financial Services Bill

Interior and Environment Committee Chairman Cohen (Shas) explained the amendment would lower the percentage of management fees on provident funds from 2% to 1.05%.

MK Ben Ari supported the bill. He went on to say he is an unhappy customer of the security and defense services because there are too many rockets hitting Israel and because of the public relations briefs that are unbearable. He slammed former Prime Minister Olmert for telling the south that they should get used to occasional rockets falling in their backyards like a light shower of rain. He said he is embarrassed the Knesset isn’t protecting the south and isn’t confessing its mistake of supporting the disengagement.

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

Amendment to the Israel Lands Authority Bill

MK Khenin (Hadash) explained the amendment would ensure transparency in the land authority by forcing them to advertise their decisions on their website. He said over the last eight years only 77 of the land authority’s 2,655 decisions were released to the public. He said that the public wants to privatize the authority because it isn’t acting like a public company, which must have transparency. He said when it comes to tax money there must be a trail of what is being done with that money and how those decisions are made. He said this bill will strengthen the idea of a strong central government.

MK Ben Ari blasted the police for prohibiting his visit to Nazareth, where he was planning to protest in front of the Balad offices. He said Nazareth deserves equality- equality in income tax, equality in VAT and equality in police enforcement.

MK Zeev (Shas) supported the bill and transparency. He went on to criticize former minister Ben-Eliezer (Labor), who he said routinely made corrupt decisions as the minister in charge of the land authority and didn’t publish anything.

The bill passed its first reading 6-0 and was sent to the Finance Committee.

Amendment to the Checks without Cover Bill

MK Shemtov (Y.B.) explained the amendment would require the bank to inform customers of all problems on an existing account before they join it. She said there is no reason to give a full history of the bank account but a new person joining an account should know what expenses or penalties he will now be responsible for. She said the bank has an interest not to warn the new customer because they can force him to pay a lot of money if he has no clue what he is walking into.

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

Amendment to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Bill

MK Pinyan (Likud) explained the amendment would allow a Rabbi to run for re-election as Chief Rabbi of Israel. He said that for political reasons a term limit of ten years was placed on the position of Chief Rabbi of Israel and it is time that term limit is repealed.

MK Zeev recalled the political trick that forced Rabbi Ovadia Yosef out of the Chief Rabbi of Israel chair. He told them that it was that decision 30 years ago that led to Rabbi Yosef creating Shas with him. He suggested that any further attempt by politicians to interfere with Rabbis will lead to an increase in political support for those Rabbis.

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

Amendment to the Former Captives’ Payment Bill

Coalition Chairman Elkin (Likud) explained the amendment would increase the pension for former captives over 80 years old by NIS 1,200 a month. He said a few hundred people would benefit from this bill.

MK Eldad (N.U.) said it is a worthy bill, and, as a son of a former captive, he finds it to be a very important ideal to support the captives in the last years of their lives.

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

________________________________________________________________

This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s March 13, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/01506712.doc

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Knesset Winter Session 2011/2012 Day 57: Assisting Illegals, Female Draft Dodgers, Orphan Welfare Bills Passed

Filed under: Daily Updates, Knesset — Leave a comment
March 18, 2012

The Knesset’s Monday session lasted about five and a half hours. 16 bills were discussed. Seven bills became law after passing their third readings, and nine bills were advanced after passing their first readings. The Jewish opposition parties of Kadima, Labor, National Union and Meretz decided not to bring no-confidence motions in order to support the government during the escalation of rocket attacks on Israeli soil. The 16-bill day was just another sign that this is the second to last week before the spring recess. The Knesset enjoyed an unusually long five day weekend after the previous Wednesday session was cancelled for the Jewish holiday of Purim. The day had some of the most interesting bills of the session. Among the new laws are prohibitions on assisting illegals, preventing women from draft dodging and a one-time NIS 100,000 welfare payment to orphans who lost a parent from a terrorist attack or during the parent’s army service.

 

Non-Bills Summary

* Hadash, Ra’am-Ta’al and Balad’s joint no-confidence motion titled ‘The escalation in South’ was defeated 4-40 with 76 MKs not present.

* House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) announced MK Tibi (R.T.) will replace MK Itzik (Kadima) in the Finance Committee.

* House Committee Chairman Levin announced which disputed bills would be discussed in which committees.

* Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) announced the government’s transfer of certain powers from his ministry to Justice Minister Neeman. The Knesset approved the transfer 11-0.

* Communications Minister Kahlon (Likud) announced the government’s transfer of certain powers from his ministry to Minister Meridor (Likud). The Knesset approved the transfer 14-0.

* Labor and Welfare Minister Kahlon answered six queries at the end of the session.

Bills Summary

Amendment to the Illegal Residence Bill

Interior Committee Chairman Cohen (Shas) explained the current temporary amendment that prohibits assistance to ilegals in terms of hiring, transporting or providing sleeping accommodations for them would become a permanent amendment. He said that certain sections would remain as temporary amendments, mostly in regards to taxi drivers who transport illegals. He called on the Knesset to defeat Hadash’s objections to the bill.

MK Khenin (Hadash) said hard cases make bad law. He said these laws go too far and turn every illegal into a criminal and turn those who help them into criminals. He said that this bill forces taxi drivers to racially profile their passengers. He called the bill absurd and said it gives cab drivers the powers of a policeman or a soldier. He called it a racist bill that makes a cab driver’s job so much harder. He said these were temporary provisions because Israel dreamed of peace but turning these provisions into a permanent law shows that Israel has given up on that dream.

MK Barakeh (Hadash) called the bill crazy. He said that there is a high level of security in Israel and the Palestinians act as their policemen in the territories so there is really no need for this bill. He said the foundation of logic for this law is seriously flawed. He called this bill another Israeli attempt to turn its public into racists and tell the Arabs who is boss. He said there is not one documented case of a terrorist who entered a cab told the driver to start meter and blew himself up.

MK Eldad (N.U.) said there are those who look at Israel as a Jewish safe house and that led to an ideology that we can give away parts of the safe house in order to achieve peace. He said the land for peace didn’t work, so it led to land for demographics. He said those who tell us we must give away land because of the demographic problem and then tell us we must in the name of liberalism and human rights allow illegals to live in our land are hypocrites. He said the true motive of these liberals is to give up on Zionism and Judaism and allow Arabs and Sudanese to raise families here. He called on the liberal politicians to stop holding both sides of the stick and decide if they had to choose between their hatred of the Jewish people and their hatred of the Jewish state which one they would give up on.

MK Ben Ari (N.U.) read a Ma’ariv columnist piece where the columnist went to a joint Israeli Jewish-Arab event. She described her shock as they told her that the Jews stole their land and conquered their nation. Ben Ari said that these Arabs want to destroy us, and there are Jews who cooperate with them. He said the safe house argument is passé, and the next generation is starting to question that motive. He said Zionism doesn’t start from Tel Chai, it started with Abraham in the Torah. He called on the government to raise children in the right way. He said the true answer is that this is our land and no one else’s land.

The bills paragraphs passed their second readings 37-7, 35-7 and 34-8.

The objections were defeated 8-35, 8-35 and 8-33.

The bill passed its third reading 34-8.

Amendment to the Parties Bill

House Committee Chairman Levin (Likud) explained his amendment would require transparency, accounting and limitations on the income and expenditure of politicians before their party’s registration. He thanked MK Schneller for co-sponsoring his bill. He said that fundraising without transparency by using a technical loophole of not registering your party until you have the money is unacceptable. He slammed Yair Lapid for attempting to use these loopholes and said this must be stopped as soon as possible. He blasted Yair Lapid for using his job as a news anchor to lead a political campaign and charged he only resigned because of a different bill that forced him to do so. He asked how someone can campaign across the country without revealing his donors, when every other person or party reveals his. He said the public deserves to know who is sending Lapid to the Knesset and what it is they want him to do. He said everyone should be equal in the political playing field, and this bill will enable that.

MK Molla (Kadima) said that the current electoral system has bigger problems, and this is a minor issue. He said the current system must be changed from its foundation, and this approach of fixing a minor thing is not worth our time. He slammed the ultra-orthodox parties for their exclusion of female representatives.

MK Khenin repeated that hard cases make bad law. He complemented Levin for confessing it is a personal bill aimed at Yair Lapid. He said that although he disagrees with Lapid politically, he is for transparency and thinks that Lapid’s basic rights should be free. He said the real transparency should be regulating or prohibiting the free daily newspaper Yisrael Hayom that is funded by Netanyahu’s friend [Sheldon Adelson]. He expressed his opposition to the bill.

MK Schneller (Kadima) expressed his solidarity with the citizens in the south who are under rocket fire. He said every party has their media tools and singling out the Likud is an issue in the same vain as that laid out in Molla’s speech about needing a bigger reform. He said that Israelis want transparency and are sick of the connection between big money interests and politicians. He added that Israelis want equality and separation of money from politics. He said everyone knows this is a great bill and praised MK Levin for coming up with the idea.

The bill passed its first reading 29-4 and was sent to the House Committee.

Amendment to the Social Security Bill

Justice, Law and Constitution Committee Chairman Rotem (Y.B.) explained the amendment would reduce a citizen’s pension by 50% if they commit a crime with nationalistic motives or have a connection to terrorist activity. He said that he wanted to eliminate the pension completely, but the government decided to agree only to a 50% reduction in order not to punish the family of the terrorist.

MK Barakeh said that this bill is not worthy at all. He said this bill punishes the spouse and children who didn’t do anything or commit any crime. He asked why terrorists’ families are being punished but rapists’ and drug dealers’ families are not. He called Rotem a racist.

MK Zahalka (Balad) said this is a bad bill that contradicts the foundation of law and equality. He said that it is not acceptable to give an additional punishment after the criminal receives the first punishment from the court of law. He said changing the punishment in the middle of serving that punishment is not acceptable. He said Rotem and Yisrael Beitenu are against the Arabs and are trying to use their position to promote and pass their racist laws. He said this collective punishment should be opposed and defeated.

MK Zeev (Shas) recalled the Supreme Court decision that destroying a terrorist’s house is legal and will make terrorists think twice before engaging in such conduct. He said this is just another step in that direction. He reminded Zahalka that the United States has kept prisoners in Guantanamo Bay without trial for a decade, so he should be happy Israel has not gone that far.

The bill passed its first reading 24-5 and was sent to the Welfare Committee.

Temporary Amendment to the Security Service Bill

Coalition Chairman Elkin (Likud) announced that women who eat kosher at home and keep the Sabbath may be exempted from military service, but many secular women have decided to use that loophole in order to get out of serving in the army. He explained this temporary amendment would present the army tools in figuring out which women are tricking the system in order to draft them into the army. He blasted the hundreds of secular women who use this loophole each year and told them that it will be closed very soon. He said this is a balanced bill that will allow religious women to still receive exemptions.

MK Herzog (Labor) said this is a big breakthrough in the struggle for equality in the burden of service. He said it is time to take the fakers and put them back into the army. He said that this temporary amendment is for three years and afterwards it will need to be turned into a permanent bill.

MK Gafni (U.T.J.) opposed the bill said there is no consensus on the bill. He said his party and the Rabbis are against forcing any woman to serve in the army. He said that he isn’t out to protect liars, but women should not be part of the mandatory draft and should only be allowed in the army if they volunteer. He called on his party’s deputy ministers to vote against this bill and follow their ideology. He noted that this was a bill that Kadima wrote in the previous term and it is now the Likud who decided to advance it. He warned the coalition that he and his party are not in the Likud’s pocket and they will seriously consider joining forces with the left after the next elections. He revealed that former Prime Minister Sharon told him that he would leave the Likud to form a new party before the other MKs knew and Gafni told him not to do it. He said that it was a mistake to tell Sharon not to leave the Likud and he is happy that Sharon didn’t listen to him. He concluded that Likud is not grateful for anything his party has sacrificed for them.

MK Eldad said that it is mitzvah [good deed] for everyone to serve in the army, and it is not a mitzvah to lie.

The bill passed its second reading 19-5.

The bill passed its third reading 21-5.

Amendment to the Banking Bill

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni explained the amendment would change the make-up of the directorship of banks as well as increase government supervision on all bank share holders that own over 1%. He said there are a few other minor changes that update basic bank regulations. He said that this bill was advanced with compromises made by the bank owners and the government, and the result is a very balanced bill. He said the most important change in this bill is allowing the government to sell off its shares of Bank Leumi.

The bill passed its second reading 15-0.

The bill passed its third reading 14-0.

Amendment to the Higher Education Bill

Education Minister Sa’ar (Likud) stated there are eight universities and 67 recognized higher education colleges in Israel. He said this amendment would allow the ministry to fund recognized higher education facilities that were not previously funded.

The bill passed its first reading 9-0 and was sent to the Education Committee.

Amendment to the Electricity Bill

Tourism Minister Misezhnikov (Y.B.) explained the amendment would transfer certain responsibilities of controlling the national electric company from the Finance Minister to the Energy and Water Minister.

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

Temporary Amendment to the Engineers and Architects Bill

Minister Misezhnikov stated there are over 9,000 engineers and architects in Israel and the amendment would change their annual fees from a one year license to a three year license. He said this would be a temporary amendment for three years and the government would decide if they want to make the change permanent at that time.

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

Amendment to the Prison Ordinance Bill

Homeland Security Minister Aharonovitch (Y.B.) explained the amendment would allow him to limit a prisoner’s meeting with lawyers. He noted that certain security prisoners use these lawyer visits to engage in terrorist activity, and certain prisoners have dozens of lawyer visits a year even if their case is closed. He said that there are terrorists who take advantage of this loophole, and it must be closed.

MK Zeev expressed support for the bill as long as it only applies to terrorists. Aharonovitch responded that it will only be used for terrorists, mobsters and drug dealers. Zeev agreed to support the bill.

The bill passed its first reading 13-0 and was sent to the Interior Committee.

Amendment to the Civil Service Bill

Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) explained the amendment would increase the pensions of policemen and prison servicemen by 5%-12% depending on their service length and rank. He said the changes would be retroactive to 2008 and spouses and orphans are eligible to receive the remainder of that pension. He called on the committee to advance this bill as soon as possible.

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

Amendment to the Mail Bill

Communications Minister Kahlon (Likud) explained the amendment would expand the services offered by the postal bank in its 700 branches nationally. He said that expanding the services they offer will utilize more of the potential of the postal bank and its thousands of workers. He said among the new services are financial consultations and insurance sales.

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

Amendment to the Welfare Services Bill

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz (Likud) explained the amendment would change the make-up of the appeals committee for citizens who are seeking social worker services from their local municipality and were denied.

The bill passed its second reading 10-0.

The bill passed its third reading 12-0.

MK Solodkin (Kadima) thanked the Knesset for approving her bill. She thanked Kahlon and Katz, who helped her advance this bill that will help hundreds of citizens a year across the country.

Amendment to the Reserve Soldiers and their Families Pension Payment

Labor, Welfare and Health Committee Chairman Katz explained this would be the 100th bill his committee has passed this term, and all of them have brought social justice to Israel. He said there are many needy people in the country, and they need his committee to pass these laws. He said this particular bill would grant orphans who lost their parent or parents in the army or in a terrorist attack before 1999 a one-time payment of NIS 100,000. He said 240 orphans will be eligible for this payment. He said the NIS 100,000 won’t bring their parent back but will give them justice.

The bill passed its second reading 12-0.

The bill passed its third reading 13-0.

Amendment to the Insurance Contracts Bill

Funds Committee Chairman Gafni explained the amendment would allow a customer who drops his insurance policy to not pay for the mandatory 15 days he is covered by the previous insurance company before he chooses a different one. He said insurance companies shouldn’t charge a fine and ask the customer to pay when he has decided to terminate his service.

The bill passed its second reading 10-0.

The bill passed its third reading 9-0.

Amendment to the Traffic Ordinance Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Shama (Likud) explained the amendment would require private companies that give out company cars without leasing companies to have a safety inspector that deals with traffic accidents and violations. He said that the safety inspector will be liable for certain offenses and will be sanctioned for certain violations. He said that the company will be required to give 24 hour service to their drivers. He said that certain defense establishment vehicles will be exempt from some of the regulations. He said MK Wilf’s objections were far reaching and all but one of them should be defeated. MK Shnaan (Independence) said he will vote against the bill because it doesn’t exclude MKs from placing a sticker that allows drivers to call and complain about their driving.

MK Wilf (Independence) explained her objection would prohibit answering machine menus when the safety inspector is not available. She said that she would remove her other objections to the bill.

The bill’s paragraphs passed its second reading 6-3, 7-1 and 7-1.

Wilf’s objection was passed 8-0.

The bill passed its third reading 6-1.

MK Bielski (Kadima) thanked the Knesset for approving his bill.

Amendment to the Municipalities Ordinance Bill

MK Bielski stated this bill would make his late mother proud and will make proud the residents of Ra’anna who he served as mayor for 17 years. He explained the amendment would change the way the central government distributes money to the strong municipalities and ease their regulations. He thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for personally getting involved and for his position of allowing great municipalities to have independence.

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

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This was the Knesset Jeremy English translation protocol of the Knesset’s March 12, 2012, session.

Official protocol in Hebrew: http://www.knesset.gov.il/plenum/data/01487012.doc

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