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World Jewish News
Knesset passes controversial ILA reform and 'Mofaz Law'
03.08.2009
The government scored two victories Monday afternoon when the Knesset approved the controversial 'Mofaz Law' in its second and final readings by 61 votes to 42, and the Israel Lands Authority reform by 61 votes to 44.
The ILA reform aims to restructure the ILA and allow people to own their property outright, rather than lease it from the ILA. In addition, it would make the ILA subordinate to the Construction and Housing Ministry, led by chief reform supporter Ariel Attias of Shas.
The opposition had decided against using the 24 hours of the time allotted from last week's filibuster, and avoided keeping the plenum's special session tied up with the debate.
On Monday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu acceded to the demands made by Labor chair Ehud Barak, thus paving the way for the law's approval. According to the new terms set by Labor MK Shelly Yacimovich, the privatization of 800,000 state-owned dunam will be divided into two equal stages, before and after 2014.
Sources within the opposition had said Sunday that they believed that both bills would ultimately pass the house and that there was little motivation within the opposition to drag out the voting on the bills to a second special Knesset session Tuesday or Wednesday.
The ILA reform was one of the remaining and most controversial aspects of the Economic Arrangements Law, and its separation from the larger bill and its near-defeat some two weeks ago at the hands of the opposition and coalition rebels alike were among the first real signs of weakness of Netanyahu's government.
Kadima issued a statement even before the vote took place, slamming Barak for enabling the bill's passing.
"The Labor party finally buried its path today, abandoned its founders and is the body directly responsible for privatizing the homeland's grounds. This is what a party on its last legs looks like, which scalps in the lands of the Jewish people for a seat in the government," the statement said.
"The questionable compromise that Barak tried to present and Labor's willingness through it to get rid of all of the nation's lands from 2014 onward, prove that Barak himself realizes that by that year, the Labor party will have lost any right to exist," it continued.
"Today it was proven beyond any doubt that it is easier to rob the nation's land rather than redeem Labor members from cabinet chairs," in concluded.
The 'Mofaz Law' reduces the number of MKs required to split from a faction from one-third to seven in the case of parties totaling over 21 members.
The bill has been viewed as specifically targeting the right-flank of Kadima to jump ship and join the government.
Kadima issued a statement shortly after the bill passed.
"The Likud-split law passed and with it the message that Netanyahu is a weak prime minister, who needed to threaten his ministers and buy the trust of his partners with public money, in order to preserve his political survivability," the opposition party said.
Following the approval of the 'Mofaz Law,' Labor MK Ophir Paz-Pines said that "a black flag is flying over the Knesset."
"This is the continuation of the political thuggery of the government and the coalition," he said in a statement.
By JPOST.COM STAFF. Rebecca Anna Stoil contributed to this report
Источник: JPost.com
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