Knesset Roundup | October 25

The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee | 19/10/2015 | Preparation for second and third readings

ACRI’s position: ACRI recognises the importance of an effective struggle against terrorism. Preventing terrorist acts underlies the state’s duty to protect its citizens, and it is appropriate that the state will be given significant tools for this purpose. However, the challenge is to deal with terrorism whilst protecting the rights and principles that are the basis of our democracy.

The bill in its current form seeks to perpetuate and normalise problematic arrangements that are currently set out in emergency legislation and regulations from the time of the British mandate. The Knesset is due to finalise the definitions of the bill this week. In ACRI’s view, the definitions included in the bill are very broad and could apply to people and organizations who are not engaged in terrorism. Such broad definitions give excessive discretion to law enforcement authorities to determine “who is a terrorist,” with potentially serious implications. For example, the definition of “terrorist act” may apply to protests, including ‘disturbances’. The definition of “member of a terrorist organization” includes people who did not take any active part in the organization. The broad definitions contained in the bill and the draconian powers that it gives to authorities could potentially lead to serious human rights violations.

Housing in Arab communities

Interior Committee | Monday, 10/12/2015, Wednesday, 14/10/2015 | Preparation for second and third readings and votes

ACRI’s position: (Together with Sikkuy: The Association for the Advancement of Civil Equality) Significant gaps and longstanding, discriminatory policies exist in this area. The shortage of housing in Arab communities is getting worse from year to year, which is having a serious impact on poorer families. There is a large gap between the limited housing available and the need for housing, which increases each year. The planning and distribution of land is a significant barrier that prevents the development of sufficient housing options.

In order to respond appropriately to the housing shortage in Arabic towns, the government’s policy must be adapted to the characteristics of Arab society and the specific plight of Arab neighbourhoods. There is no single, magical solution. Rather there is a need for specific, diverse and multi-systemic programs. It is extremely important that this process will be based on the trust of the Arabic society, and that the Arab voice be represented in all the planning and implementation that affects them.

Increasing income support benefits for the elderly and child allowances

Finance Committee | On Sunday, 11/10/2015, Thursday, 10/15/2015 | Discussion

ACRI’s position: The proposal to raise the rates of child allowances and income support for the elderly is a positive and welcome step. However, as in the past when benefit amounts were changed, the government is proposing to alter the allowances without sufficient evidence on the amount of support that is needed. The allowances are being determined arbitrarily, without consideration of whether someone receiving the benefits can afford to live with dignity, or even survive. It is the government’s responsibility to establish a professional mechanism in order to determine the necessary amount of benefits and allowances, as is done in other countries. Experts should determine the types of benefits that are necessary to live with dignity, and prevent arbitrary increases and decreases in allowances according to political expediency.

In the Spotlight

By Robert Swift | The Media Line

Israeli Border Police Road Block (Photo: Robert Swift/The Media Line)

“[Jerusalem] – Under pressure to stem attacks by Palestinians on Israeli citizens Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approved plans to boost police numbers with the deployment of soldiers in Israel’s cities and to increase security checkpoints around Arab neighborhoods in east Jerusalem. Government officials also said they would take away the Jerusalem residency permits of terrorists, a move which must be approved by Israel’s Attorney General.

At some locations Israeli police set up concrete roadblocks instead of police search teams. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) expressed concern over the use of this tactic which could be longer-term. “It is ok for the police to curtail freedom of movement for short periods of time for (something) specific. (If) there’s a stabbing on the street it’s acceptable to close the street for a few hours,” Ronit Sela, from ACRI, told The Media Line. Mass unrest such as an ongoing riot could necessitate sealing off a geographic location – a violent incident which was no longer occurring and had been carried out by an individual or small group did not, Sela explained.”

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