The threat of the opposition faction leaders succeeded: Following internal pressure within the coalition, mainly from Torah Judaism MKs, it was decided to remove the 'Gift Law' from the Knesset plenary agenda, which those around the Prime Minister sought to promote.
The chairmen of the opposition factions threatened today (Wednesday) that if they advance the 'Gift Law' before the end of the Knesset's winter session, they will create difficulties for the 'Meron Law', which is essential for managing the Rashbi's hilulah, will submit hundreds of reservations and conduct a filibuster into the night - which will prevent its approval.
'The 'Meron Law', which was approved for debate in the plenary session on Sunday, is expected to pass a second and third reading with the consent of the factions.
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The law regulates the powers of the police during the anticipated Lag BaOmer festivities, with the aim of bringing order to the events as a lesson from the severe disaster that occurred on the Mount two years ago. The law was initiated by the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Tradition, Meir Porush, due to the need to provide the police with tools to manage Lag BaOmer events on the Mount and prevent danger to human life.
Raising the 'Gift Law' alongside the 'Meron Law' on the same day will cause it to encounter difficulties, instead of passing it by consensus as planned.
Chairman of the State Camp faction, MK Zeev Elkin, IDF: "I am glad that our threat worked and Netanyahu folded quickly. The coalition is removing the illusory gift law from the agenda.
"We will continue to fight together, all opposition factions, with all the parliamentary tools at our disposal, against the scandalous and corrupt legislation.".
The statement issued by the chairmen of the opposition factions stated: "The Likud Party has decided to bring up the first reading of the Gift Law for discussion on Thursday in the Knesset Committee. The implications of this are that a vote on it will take place this coming Sunday in the plenary. This means that despite the end of the winter session and despite the fact that this is the week before a holiday, the Likud Party decided to convene the plenary session specifically for the benefit of the corrupt and abominable law, which has the scent of personal interest.".
The faction leaders claimed: "It is not enough that the plenum does not convene during the week preceding Passover, except in exceptional cases. Knesset members are supposed to vote on a law that could corrupt the entire public sector.".
They threatened that raising the law would harm the approval of the Meron Law: "We hereby announce that if it is decided to convene the plenum in favor of the Gift Law on Sunday, all Knesset members will be required to attend the discussion. The Meron Law, which was approved for discussion in the plenum that day, due to the shared desire of all factions in the House to give the police the tools to manage the Meron event and prevent danger to human life, will encounter hundreds of reservations and a filibuster into the night until Monday, instead of passing it by consensus for the sake of the citizens of Israel.".
According to the proposed 'Gift Law', Prime Minister Netanyahu will be allowed to receive donations for his legal proceedings - and any politician will be able to receive donations and funding for a range of causes.
