The Knesset plenum convened today (Wednesday) in an attempt to pass the first reading of the 'Camera Law' - which seeks to prevent fraud at the ballot boxes.
The law requires a special majority of 61 Knesset members, as determined by Knesset Legal Advisor Eyal Yinon, and therefore absence from the vote is tantamount to voting against the law.
However, Minister Amir Ohana announced in the plenary that the Likud does not accept the position of the Knesset Legal Advisor, according to which a majority of 61 is needed to approve the law. According to him, a simple majority is sufficient: "The advisor's job is to advise.".
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unexpectedly gave a speech and attacked the jubilation of Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid over the interruption of his speech yesterday in Ashdod due to the shooting from Gaza: "I don't know where they cheered more - in Gaza, or with Lapid and Gantz. Shame and disgrace.".
Joint List Chairman MK Ayman Odeh went wild during the debate, calling Netanyahu a "liar" and holding a camera in front of him. Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein ejected Odeh from the Knesset, and he responded: "I thought it was all a story.".
Odeh refused to apologize.
Netanyahu said in his speech: "Where is Yisrael Beiteinu? Where is Lieberman who zigzags? If he hadn't zigzags, we would have passed the camera law, prevented fraud and prevented election theft. How can we object to photography on a cell phone that we use everywhere. The entire public space is being photographed.".
The Prime Minister attacked the leaders of Blue and White following their reactions to the rocket fire last night towards Ashdod, during an election conference attended by Netanyahu. "I heard the jubilation of Lapid and Gantz after Ashdod. I don't know where they were more happy when the Prime Minister was shot from Gaza - in Gaza or with Lapid and Gantz? I spoke to the citizens calmly, I told them to evacuate, but such joy from Lapid and Gantz is simply shameful and disgraceful.".
Netanyahu explained the necessity of the camera law and attacked the left, which he said wants to "steal" the elections: "Suddenly they decided that there is only one place where you can't take pictures, and that is the polling station. It's simply absurd. There is no explanation for the opposition to this law other than an attempt to enable election fraud.".
'"It doesn't surprise me that Gantz and Lapid and the left-wing parties want to prevent the introduction of cameras. It doesn't surprise me that their partners who said they would recommend them from the Arab parties, Ayman Odeh and Ahmed Tibi, also want to prevent cameras. But why is Lieberman joining them? Why is Lieberman joining them again?"'
Netanyahu attacked: "Lieberman is a serial toppler of right-wing governments. He toppled a right-wing government just a few months ago, prevented a right-wing government recently, and now he is joining forces with Lapid, Gantz, and the Arab parties to form a left-wing government. In this vote, those who vote see the picture of the next government they want to form - a left-wing government led by Lapid, Gantz, along with the other left-wing parties, the Arab parties, and Avigdor Lieberman. Lieberman is working to topple the Likud, and he is working to topple me as well.".
'"We will continue to do what is necessary, both in security and in statesmanship. We are constantly working. Yesterday I announced my intention to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea. They ask - why did you wait? A stupid question asked by those who understand nothing about political action and how to achieve achievements in the political field. They only know how to give up and retreat, but they don't know how to receive achievements from the world.
'"Before achieving achievements, losses must be prevented, and therefore for 8 long years I stopped the retreats to the '67 lines and the Jordan Valley against another American administration. In the last three years, I brought tremendous achievements against the US. Look at what the US said yesterday after I announced the application of our sovereignty. They announced that Prime Minister Netanyahu's announcement does not prevent our peace plan. I said that the conditions were ripe and we brought achievements.".
The Prime Minister said that on Sunday he will submit a proposal for the regularization of the Mevot Jericho settlement in the southern Jordan Valley for government approval.
'"This is a further step towards the application of sovereignty. This is what is right to do, this is what needs to be done, and this is what the people want us to do. But the people will only be able to express their opinion if they come to the polls in droves and vote for Likud. The people will only make their decision if we prevent election theft. The only way to implement the policy I announced and prevent election theft is to come to the polls in droves.".
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