Labour leader Herzog: Bill is “narrow-minded, anti-democratic and shuts down any one who dares not emulate her thinking.” “Narrow minded”, that’s a new one. But “anti-democratic” is not. There is nothing contrary to democracy about it. To pass it would be an affirmation of democracy. Democracies have a duty to protect themselves. Nor does it shut down anyone who dares not emulate her thinking. In fact the bill simply taxes the NGO’s on money they receive from foreign governments. This bill does not in any way limit free speech. Such limitations must be found in the criminal code. I approve the bill and suggest a double whammy. Any taxes received due to this bill becoming law, should be given to right-wing NGO’s to create a level playing field. Ted Belman
Ministers approved the controversial NGO bill proposed by Knesset members Ayelet Shaked (Habayit Hayehudi) and Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beiteinu) on Sunday. The bill passed a vote of the Ministerial Committee on Legislative Affairs, with the support of ministers from Shaked’s party and from Likud-Beiteinu.
Representatives of the left slammed the proposal, calling it “dangerous and dictatorial,” noting the bill was intended to silence any one who dares to criticize the administration and think differently. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said she intended to appeal the proposed legislation.
The bill proposes a 45% tax charged on nonprofit foundations and organizations that receive foreign donations and that take part in the following activities:
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– Advocating the boycott, divestment, or sanctioning of Israel or its citizens.
– Calling for the trial of IDF soldiers in international courts.
– Denying Israel’s existence as a Jewish and democratic state.
– Inciting to racism.
– Supporting armed struggle against the State of Israel by an enemy state or terror organization.
Habayit Hayehudi welcomed the approval of the bill, saying: “The bill will help defend IDF soldiers from perverse lawsuits funded by foreign actors. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni’s appeal against the bill is an irresponsible move.”
The statement added: “Every day in which the bill does not become law, IDF soldiers are in danger and their operational ability is damaged. Minister Livni would do well do put aside political considerations and stop delaying this bill.”
‘Narrow-minded, anti-democratic decision’
Minister Livni said during the discussion that being patriotic means not passing anti-democratic legislation: “The State of Israel wants to protect IDF soldiers in international tribunals and the rule of law in Israel affects the decisions of these tribunals.”
She added that “Habayit Hayehudi’s proposal will harm IDF soldiers, not protect them. This is a populist proposal under the guise of patriotism, which will hurts Israel’s ability to defend IDF soldiers.”
Yesh Atid ministers joined Livni in opposing the bill.
Chairman of the opposition, Isaac Herzog said: “The decision of the ministerial committee in the name of the Israeli government is narrow-minded, anti-democratic and shuts down any one who dares not emulate her thinking. The next stage of this bill’s implementation is forming a thought police that will determine who pays fines for an opinions and who doesn’t, who is blacklisted politically and who isn’t.”
According to Herzog, “Israel is becoming less and less democratic. Everyone who loves the country and holds it dear must oppose this law with all their might. It is up to the prime minister and the Knesset plenum to cancel the decision of the ministerial committee.”
The left said the proposal is a witch hunt of those who dare oppose the government. Before the committee’s discussion, Meretz chairwoman, Zahava Gal-On said: “Woe to the administration that supports it.”
On Friday, the Justice Ministry announced that Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein opposed the proposal. In the opinion presented to the committee it was noted that Weinstein thinks the bill is unconstitutional and is meant as a means of punishment to foundations, which will thwart donations to them and hurt the public dialogue in Israel.
Aviel Magnezi contributed to this report
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The committee approved the bill after Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar reached an agreement with Shaked and Ilatov that they would make several changes between its preliminary and first readings in the Knesset, and that it would be brought back to the committee.
The changes are that an implied policy of the organization, as opposed to an explicit one, would not count against an organization, nor would actions by members of its board of directors.
In addition, the penalty would not be for NGOs rejecting Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
Steven Plaut comments:
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A bit to my surprise, the Israeli cabinet actually passed a bill that would heavily tax “donations” from overseas to Israeli traitorous NGOs. This is the latest attempt to block anti-democratic intervention by foreign hostile governments and agencies when they support picayune anti-Israel NGOs operating in Israel by far Leftists. In the past Netanyahu cowered and prevented passage of such “defense of democracy” bills.
The leftist Attorney General in Israel in Netanyahu’s government has already announced that he will refuse to defend this new bill in court if it becomes law. He says it is unconstitutional, a rather strange claim given that Israel does not have a constitution. It is his position that he only has to defend laws with which he agrees and not any law that the elected representatives of the people in the Knesset pass. The fact that Netanyahu has not fired him on the spot for this statement tells you a great deal about Bibi’s backbone.
bernard ross Said:
No but it will delay approval till a decision is handed down and that could take years so there is a lot of political posturing going on. Even if Livni loses with the Court BB can bury the legislation so it never comes up for a decisive vote. He would prefer the court to do his dirty work for him though so his hands are clean.
bernard ross Said:
No arguments from me I have always maintained that there is no operative difference between BB and the Left and that under present circumstance the Left are preferable. The Likud with Leftist BB at it’s head divides the political and ideological right whereas if the Left were running the country from the government the right could unify and even be stronger and more effective in opposition than the situation e no have.
Does appeal kill the bill?
Perhaps it says more about BB’s character and agenda than his backbone. Why would a PM make appointments that he surely knows will counter the platform upon which he was elected. Are not Livni and Weinstein BB appointments. Did anyone think to consider the obvious: that BB made appointments that will indeed further his agenda. It appears that Livni’s 2 appointed portfolios, coupled with the leftist Supreme court will guarantee failure for any position on the right wrt negotiations and justice. Same with Weinstein. I fail to see how a leftist govt would do it any differently.
BB should be forced to explain his actions, there is no reasonable explanation other than chicanery for the appointment of Livni to the 2 portfolios. Her coalition Hatnua seats should guarantee an appointment to the ministry of public toilets.
BB has splendidly manged to escape all criticism for his own actions by misdirecting the electorate’s eye to Livni. He has also managed to avoid accusations regarding his true motives. Explanations are due and politicians on the right should be demanding the explanations and the firing of Livni.
@ NormanF:His opinion the bill is “unconstitutional” is errant nonsense because Israel doesn’t have a constitution. Point well taken. Even I glossed over this. This is what passes for law in Israel these days, and in the US we have a Nibel laureate, Harvard Legal Review scholar who says the Constitution is a flawed document,and he nominates Elana Kagan Supreme Court Justice, and the person she most admires is Aharon Barak,
Robert_K Said:
Israel’s leftist Attorney General should have been fired for saying he refuses to defend laws he doesn’t agree with. His opinion the bill is “unconstitutional” is errant nonsense because Israel doesn’t have a constitution. But that tells you everything you need to know about the Israeli Left’s commitment to the so-called “constitutional revolution” authored by Aharon Barak and the judicial activism he spawned along with it that has helped to undermine Israel’s foundation as the Jewish State.
What more of proof do you need to be in favor of this bill, then to see that Tzipi Livni, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein,and Zahava Gal-On oppose it. Enough said.
The bill is not anti-democratic.
It simply forces Israeli NGOs to choose between their foreign benefactors and Israel.
They can still advocate their views; they just won’t be able to influence the Israeli democratic process through foreign funding.
This measure is much-needed and long overdue.