Police State
Bill: Limit protests outside officials' homesProposal asks to obligate protestors to first obtain license for any demonstration held outside private home of public figure, even if it is only one person. Bill passes first reading with majority of 19 votes, Likud MK slams motion as 'undemocratic'
Amnon MerandaA bill significantly limiting citizens' right to protest outside the homes of public officials passed its first reading by the Knesset plenum on Monday.
If the bill passes the second and third readings, protestors will have to obtain a license to be allowed to demonstrate in front of officials' homes.
The requirement for a license will apply to any number of protestors – starting from one, and a number of conditions will have to be met for such a license to be issued.
Currently, only groups of over 50 people require a license to protest, but the government wishes to change this. "A person's right to privacy in their home stands alongside the freedom to protest," the bill proposal read.
"This right has been recognized as an important constitutional right, since a person's home is their 'last refuge' – a person should not be forced to listen to other people's opinions if they do not wish to. A person has the right to 'seclude oneself' in their private home," it continued.
The proposal further said it was meant to "give preference to a person's right to privacy in their own home, under circumstances that do not constitute a complete prevention of the freedom of expression, but only a certain limitation to this freedom."
Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch presented the bill, and was followed by MK Yariv Levin (Likud) who, surprisingly, abstained from the vote and slammed the proposal.
"I am a member of the coalition, but I am also a civilian," Levin said, adding that the bill itself was initiated by Kadima and adopted by his party.
"This is an Ariel Sharon-style proposal to shut people up," he continued, "It's legislation that forbids
a person to stand with a sign and it is undemocratic."National Union MK Uri Ariel addressed Minister Benny Begin during the session, and asked him: "Do you oppose having someone with a sign stand in front of your house?"
Ariel was supported by Hadash MK Dov Khenin who said, "This is a particularly bad proposal that harms the freedom to protest and demonstrate. The Knesset should give a clear message to the government and say: 'We don't want to see such laws in this house'."
The bill passed its first reading with a majority of 19 votes and six objections.
http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3717933,00.html
So why are the members of Knesset wanting to close down free speech?
Is it that they are getting ready to give away Israel's future under American pressure.
This bill is just one more piece of evidence about how big the gap between Israeli's and the Knesset really is.
Does Israel really need to become a police state?
Yes it does, if our leaders are going to give away our land.
