The Knesset plenum has voted down a provocative, offensive bill to
institute civil marriages. On 1 Adar Aleph, 52 Knesset members from
the coalition and religious parties not in the coalition opposed the
proposal. 19 supported it, while 13 abstained.
The proposal was presented by Tommy Lapid of Shinui. However, even
members of the Meretz party left the plenum prior to the vote on this
provocative proposal because they did not want to have to vote against
it as members of the coalition. Lapid harangued them for leaving,
but Meretz preferred to abide by the directives of the governing coalition's
executive board.
When the proposal was first raised over a week ago, the government
representative sharply opposed it and Lapid was granted a few minutes
in which to explain his position. His remarks, however, were interrupted
by shouts from the sidelines.
It should be noted that among the proposal's supporters were MKs from
the following parties, One Israel: C. Avital, Shalom Simchon, S. Landber;
Israel Our Home: Eliezer Cohen; Mercaz: Roni Milo, Yuri Stern, Roman
Bronfman, Alex Tsinker, as well as the entire Shinui party.
The Arab representatives were divided. MKs Mohammed Berka, Achmad
Tibi and Ozmi Bishara supported it, while MKs Amada Malk Dehasha,
Tewfik Chattub and Hasham Machmid abstained. MK Meir Shetreet of Likud
was in the Knesset at the time, but did not participate in the vote.
