Education Minister Sa’ar opposed the bill on the grounds that there is a fund of NIS 102 million for select students who live below the poverty line to go to college. He said that there is no reason to support this bill because for the most part what the bill is trying to create already exists.
MK Molla blasted Sa’ar and called him a liar and said that even if some students are helped, the fund must be expanded to include everyone.
The bill was defeated 23-40.
Amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance Bill
MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) charged that the Trachtenberg committee is a farce and claimed that it was a fixed game that Netanyahu puppeteered. Hasson heckled Netanyahu and told him to listen up. Netanyahu responded that Hasson should learn some manners. Netanyahu told him that when he was a young MK he spoke with respect to the Prime Ministers and never attacked them. Netanyahu suggested that Hasson learn from his experience. Hasson responded that Netanyahu is wrong and that he is allowed to criticize him on such matters. He went on to speak about his bill. He explained his amendment would recognize the individual learning costs of business owners as a tax expense credit. He stated the bill will assist small business owners and help them learn more about their profession. He noted that this tax credit can only be used every five years.
Deputy Finance Minister Cohen (Shas) opposed the bill because there are certain circumstances where the bill already exists in law.
The bill was defeated 13-32.
Amendment to the Penal Code Bill
MK Adatto (Kadima) explained her amendment would increase the penalty for assaulting a social worker to five years. She said that social workers are on the front lines and should receive more protection than regular people. She agreed to postpone the vote for a week to give the government more time to come around.
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Jeremy Man Saltan, a Knesset insider and legislative consultant to various groups and individuals. His hosts the first and only blog to cover the Knesset’s plenary sessions in English: http://knessetjeremy.com