Knesset passes laws to help Holocaust survivors

Another bill halves NII benefits for terrorists; 15 bills pass in what MKs thought were the final hours of the 18th Knesset.

By LAHAV HARKOV
David Rotem 311 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski )
David Rotem 311
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski )
Fifteen bills were passed late Monday night, in what most MKs thought were the final hours of the 18th Knesset.
The bills were authorized in their second and third (final) Knesset readings immediately after the proposal to dissolve the Knesset passed its first reading, and while it was being discussed in the Knesset House Committee.
Most of the new laws came from the Knesset Economics Committee, Interior Committee and Labor, Welfare and Health Committee.
The most controversial of the bills quickly passed on Monday is one by Yisrael Beytenu MKs David Rotem and Robert Ilatov halving the National Insurance benefits for anyone charged with a serious security crime, with terrorist or nationalist motives, and served 10 years or more in prison.
In addition, the monthly payments to handicapped Holocaust survivors were increased by NIS 720-NIS 900, depending on income, as part of a law by MKs Uri Ariel (National Union) and Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism). The new legislation will benefit close to 8,000 people.
Another bill made the parole committee for a prisoner with life sentence that was tried in a military court the same as someone in jail for life who was sentenced by a civilian court.
A new law also passed that would forbid age from being a factor in hiring practices in jobs that require a public tender.
The Knesset also passed a law proposed by MK Ahmed Tibi (United Arab List-Ta’al), which would require airlines to give passengers benefits if flights are delayed for over two hours or canceled. After two hours, passengers must receive food, drinks and free phone calls. After a delay of five to eight hours, they receive a night in a hotel or a refund. The law will be valid as of October.