Knesset approves tax breaks for same-sex parents

[oberliner]

The Knesset plenum approved in a 44-20 vote on Wednesday a preliminary bill offering tax breaks for same-sex parents.

A compromise between Yesh Atid and Habayit Hayehudi parties paved the way for the bill's passage. The written deal between the two coalition partners has been kept under wraps but it is expected the bill will be shelved and that equal tax credits will be implemented through Finance Ministry regulations rather than legislation.

Storming out of the building, members of left-wing opposition party Meretz refused to participate in the vote and demanded to make public the Yesh Atid-Habayit Hayehudi agreement. They were joined in criticizing the secret dealings by MK Eitan Cabel (Labor). He voted against the bill in order to be allowed address the plenum and speak out against the lack of transparency.

Religious Services Minister Naftali Bennett was the only representative of Habayit Hayehudi present to vote in favor of the law. MK Ayelet Shaked notified the Knesset that she was unable to reach the plenum in time for the vote and asked that her name be added to the bill’s supporters.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.565327

[King_David]

1. I don't get it?

Why did meretz not vote ?

[oberliner]

2. Maybe because their bill got shot down?

Israel: Pro-gay civil marriage bill defeated in Knesset

A bill aimed at blocking discrimination on religious grounds and allowing for civil marriage regardless of race, sex, citizenship, and religion, has been defeated in Israel.

The Freedom of Religion and Conscience Bill, sponsored by Knesset member Zahava Gal-on of the Meretz party, was rejected by a 56 to 21 margin in its preliminary reading in the Knesset this week.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/12/27/israel-pro-gay-civil-marriage-bill-defeated-in-knesset/

[Israeli]

3. this might help you " get it " ....

http://972mag.com/nstt_feeditem/israeli-deputy-minister-jews-have-a-higher-soul-than-gentiles-even-if-theyre-gay/

Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs, Rabbi Eli Ben Dahan, from the settler party Habayit Hayehudi (Jewish Home) gave an interview [Heb] to the Israeli daily Ma’ariv yesterday on his party’s stance against gay marriage. Personally, I couldn’t decide which headline I should go with on this one: his racism against non-Jews, or his contempt for gays. It was a lose-lose situation.

Here’s a snippet from the interview. Remember, this man is a high ranking government official in the only democracy in the Middle East......

What will you do if the Knesset votes on a bill legalizing gay marriage?

No way. Also, a Jew cannot marry a gentile.

Is that the same thing?

We don’t recognize either of them. And anyway, a Jew always has a much higher soul than a gentile, even if he’s gay.

[King_David]

4. Yes I get all that

But what's happening now ?

[oberliner]

5. If only the Israeli religious leaders were as progressive as their Palestinian counterparts

Especially with regard to gay marriage.

[shaayecanaan]

7. The difference is...

that if a Palestinian said this it would be considered "incitement" and would therefore constitute some sort of serious impediment to the peace process.

[King_David]

8. What do any Palestinian leaders , government ,officials

Say about Gays ever?
Anything normal .... Ever?

[King_David]

6. Another reason to reform electoral process

So fuckwits like this don't hold any balance of power.