A large majority of the Knesset plenum rejected two proposed
laws last week which had been presented for preliminary
readings. Both proposals were presented by Roman Bronfman
(Ta'al) and Yuri Stern (Israel Beiteinu).
One was cancelling the listing of nationality on personal
identity cards (teudat zehut). Although the
nationality
information on the ID card is not considered reliable (the
card itself proclaims this information is not reliable), its
presence has considerable emotional content.
Although the Government opposed the proposal to cancel the
nationality listing, a number of Knesset Coalition members
supported it, among them Meretz members; Roni Milo (Center),
Sofa Landber, and Speaker of the Knesset, Avraham Burg (One
Israel), as well as Deputy Minister Marina Solodkin of
Yisrael Ba'Aliya.
Minister for Religious Affairs Yitzhak Cohen (Shas), who
expressed opposition to the proposed law in the name of the
Government, said that the ramifications of the "nationality"
clause in the State of Israel are unlike those of other
countries. In Israel, he explained, we are referring to the
Jewish nation, and the records must make that clear. Cohen
noted that although Minister of Internal Affairs Natan
Sharansky opposes the proposal, he could not attend the
discussion because of illness. Meretz' voting against the
government provoked the ire of Shas representatives who were
angry at Meretz for having supported the law in violation of
the Government's and the coalition decision.
Later, MK Yossi Paritzki of Shinui suggested a proposal to
forbid advertising on pirate radio stations as well as
playing them in public places. This proposal was also
rejected by a large majority of the coalition. In this
instance, however, the Meretz Knesset members also supported
the proposal.
The tension between Shas and Meretz escalated, erupting when
Deputy Minister Yitzhak Vaknin hurled harsh remarks at
Education Minister Yossi Sarid, calling him "antisemitic"
because Sarid has yet to transfer money to the Maayan
Hachinuch HaTorani network, despite the fact that the Knesset
Finance Committee has approved the transfer, and it was the
subject of an explicit agreement before the budget vote.
In the wake of Vaknin's remarks, a commotion erupted in the
Knesset plenum which intensified after Ilan Gila'on of
Meretz' sharp response. The meeting chairman was forced to
announce a recess in order to calm the soaring spirits. The
various sides later apologized, and peace and quiet returned
to the Knesset plenum.
