Slippery Slope

MK Aryeh Deri (Shas) has stated that a law should be enacted requiring every Jewish child to visit Samaria.

(Hebrew – Walla!)

The Knesset plenum passed into law a bill proposed by MK Zeev Elkin (Likud), which grants tax exemptions to donations made to organizations which support settlements. (Ynetnews)

(Hebrew – Haaretz)

MK Zion Finian (Likud) and others have proposed a bill that adds to the current law the measures of closing down local newspapers or limiting their ability to publish on certain topics in cases of recurring libel.

(Hebrew)

MK Aryeh Bibi (Kadima) proposed an ammendment to the “Basic Law: Jerusalem the Capital of Israel” that sought to prevent gay pride parades from being held in Jerusalem, so as not to offend religious sensibilities. He withdrew the proposal a day after the media published it.

MK David Rotem (Yisrael Beitenu) has stated that he will ask the Minister of Justice to depose Supreme Court Justice Salim Joubran for refusing to sing the national anthem at the retirement ceremony of Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch.  Following the incident MK Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) announced that he intends to put forward the ‘Joubran bill,’ according to which a judge who did not serve in the IDF or national service[?] would not be able to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) demands that a vote take place regarding his Construction and Planning bill within two weeks, although the bill contains over 600 clauses and its final draft was only distributed yesterday.

(Hebrew)

MK Uri Orbach (The Jewish Home) put forward a piece of legislation according to which anyone who disrespects the national anthem will face a punishment of up to one year in jail.

(Hebrew)

MK Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) put forward a bill according to which an Israeli film would receive support from the State of Israel only if its creators and actors sign a declaration of loyalty to the State of Israel, its symbols and its Jewish and Democratic values.

(Hebrew)

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation decided to authorize a proposed bill that grants a tax break on donations for “encouraging settlement”. The proposition, forwarded by Likud MKs Ze’ev Elkin and Zion Pinyan grants a tax break of up to 35% on donations to settlements in the Galilee, Negev, and West Bank.

(Hebrew)

MK Uri Orbach (Jewish Home) has submitted a request to ammend the law on “forbidden discrimination in services, products, and entrance to public places and entertainment halls”. The ammendment would allow citizens to sue artists who refuse to appear in settlements for tens of thousands of shekels without proving damages.

(Hebrew)