In a Long and Endless Marathon of Voting, the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) Approved the State Budget for 2021 and 2022. This is the first budget in the last three years, as during the period of the previous government led by Netanyahu, the coalition could not reach an agreement that enabled a majority vote for the state budget, as well as due to the series of general elections that interrupted the regular schedule of parliament.
The Israeli parliament has 120 elected representatives, members of Knesset. Before and during the long process of voting, there were endless attempts to jeopardize the very small majority of the coalition (61 - 59). Any balanced vote of 60 - 60 would have automatically led to general elections. There were intense efforts by the opposition, led by Netanyahu to smear and incite against PM Bennett and the members of his party, calling them “a government of lies”, “thieves” etc. But that did not help and in a long three day process the Knesset approved all articles of the State Budget.
A Mini-Drama Accompanied the Israeli Delegation to the Glasgow Climate Summit, When the Minister of Energy was Unable to Enter the Hall Because She Uses a Wheelchair. Minister Karin Elharar arrived at the venue only to discover that the place was not accessible to her wheelchair. The event was covered by international media, and the organizers of the summit went out of their way to apologize for the embarrassing event.
PM Bennett addressed the summit and promised that Israel will reach zero percent greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. While in Glasgow, Bennett met with some leaders, and key players like Bill Gates.The Leader of a Jewish Hassidic Cult Was Arrested as a Suspect in two Murder Cases From More than 30 Years Ago. The case was recently reopened after the airing of a true-crime series on public TV which presented new evidence that generated the reopening of the case. A few people were arrested recently, some of them historically tied themselves to the murder cases. The Rabbi is a 84 year old leader of what seems to look like a Hassidic cult, which he dominates totally. Eliezer Berland, who was never ordained as a Rabbi, served several years in prison for sex crimes, fraud and other criminal offenses. His supporters gathered near the local court when he was brought in, and they prayed for his release.
Thousands at Largest Right-Wing Demonstration in Tel Aviv Since the Formation of the New Government and Ahead of State Budget Approval: speakers at the demonstration included members of Knesset from the Likud, as well as far right parties, Religious Zionism and Jewish Power, who spoke against Bennett’s government policies and its partnership with the United Arab List. One of the speakers, MK Miri Regev, said that “Bennett has formed the first Palestinian government in history”. Speakers expressed the hope that former PM Netanyahu will return to power. A video display showed disturbing images of suicide bombing attacks from the 1990’s, following the Oslo Accords, as well as images of PM Rabin shaking hands with PLO leader Arafat at the White House, insinuating that Rabin was responsible for the bombings. The Labor Party held a peace rally at the nearby Rabin Square, named so after his assassination in that square 26 years ago, with daughter Dalia Rabin and Minister of Transportation Merav Michaeli as keynote speakers.
Prominent LGBTQ Leader and TV Persona Suspected of Sexual Violence: Gal Uchovsky, journalist and media persona, and one of the most well-known leaders of the LGBT community is now under police investigation for allegations of sexual violence, after several men came forward in a prime-time news show and said that he forced himself on them against their will. Following the airing of the story, Uchovsky stepped down from his position as Chair of the board of IGGY, the Gay youth organization, which he founded with other gay activists 20 years ago. Uchovsky, who was one of the first openly gay men in Israeli mainstream media was known for his relentless outing of prominent artists and public figures. Leaders in the LGBT community condemned acts of sexual violence and called upon all those who have suffered violence and abuse to come forward and seek counselling. Voices within the LGBT community and in the media were critical of the lukewarm responses from politicians, including gay political leaders, as well as the mainstream media, and claimed that their tongue in cheek condemnations were due to their close ties with Uchovsky.
For Further Reading:
Glasgow: here, here, here, here
Murder Case: Here, here, here, here, here