Not just a tax, but also a fine: This is what will happen if you bring disposable utensils to the beach

May 17, 2022   

In a precedent-setting and dangerous move, the coalition predated the decision of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee from the beginning of the week, and approved the municipal order prohibiting the use of disposable utensils within the boundaries of the Hof Carmel Regional Council. Are you about to give birth? Receive: professional lectures, tips and pampering gifts This was made possible after the chairman of the Constitution Committee, MK Gilad Kariv, submitted a request for a re-discussion of the order. During the renewed discussion, the coalition mobilized and aggressively approved the draconian order. Earlier this week, in cross-party cooperation, MK Uri Maklev, together with MK Osama Saadi, prevented the approval of the municipal order imposing a fine for the use of disposable utensils on the beach. The order sought to ban the use of disposable plastic utensils on the beach and sought to impose a high fine on violators. In the discussion that took place, the chairman of the meeting put the issue to a vote and the committee unanimously rejected the approval of the order. Now, as mentioned, the order has been returned for a re-discussion and approved with coalition aggression. MK Maklev explained to the Knesset members in the discussion of the Constitution Committee that there is a large gap between what we are fixing here and the reality on the ground. "In practice, the inspectors in the local authorities are not forgiving towards the citizens and this is something that we must consider. This type of order is a dangerous precedent in its constitutional approach," Maklev explained to the committee members. "When there is no ban on the use of disposable plastic utensils, when the person does not throw away or pollute the environment - how can they be fined? In practice, you are seeking to turn an honest person into a criminal based on an offense that he may commit in the future and there is no certainty about this. Such legislation should be passed through primary legislation in the Knesset plenum and not through secondary legislation as a municipal by-law." Maklev first called for an exception to the ban on the use of disposable cups, since a citizen's stay at the sea, especially during the hot summer days in the Land of Israel, requires a lot of drinking, and especially when there is a real difference between drinking cups and eating utensils, which are more polluting. "This is a draconian and offensive law, especially when it comes without matching the reality on the ground. There is an attempt here to educate the public through fines and not through information," said Maklev.