For the first time since the announcement of their
resignation from the government, UTJ's Knesset
representatives participated in a confidence vote on the
Prime Minister. This occurred during the vote on the State
Education Law, and the approval of Rabbi Shmuel Halpert's
amendment to it. Yossi Paritzki (Shinui) sought to transform
the vote into a no-confidence vote in the Prime Minster,
while the Infrastructure Minster, Eli Suissa sought to vote
for it, as an expression of confidence in the Prime
minister.
Last Tuesday (16 Adar I) at a second and third reading, the
Knesset approved the proposal for major changes in the State
Education Law. The changes initiated by Amnon Rubinstein
(Meretz) and other members of the Knesset committee, were
meant to define the purposes of education in the State of
Israel. Among other things, the new bill said that the
education comes to inculcate the principles of the State of
Israel, the idea of striving for peace and tolerance, the
need to teach Jewish history, and explain the Nation's legacy
and tradition, as well as the need to develop the child's
personality.
Rabbi Shmuel Halpert sought to add a clause regarding the
obligation to teach Torah. However, members of the committee
refused to comply with this request. As a result, Rabbi
Halpert presented a proposal for an amendment to the law to
the Knesset plenum. Tuesday, when the proposed law was
brought to a vote, his amendment was accepted by a majority
of those present which consisted of 16 supporters with 8
opposed. Among the supporters were representatives of UTJ,
Shas, Mafdal, Likud and Benny Alon from the Ichud Haleumi.
The opponents were from Shinui, Meretz, Yisrael Achat and the
Arab parties.
In the wake of the approval of the reservations and the
announcement of the chairman of the Education Committee,
Zevulun Orlev (Mafdal) that he wanted to approve the law for
its final reading, including the amendment, Yossi Paritzki of
Shinui sought to transform the vote into a proposal of no-
confidence in the Prime Minister. This is a very commonly-
used delaying tactic since, according to the Knesset
regulations, this would automatically postpone the vote until
the following week. The Infrastructure Minster, Eli Suissa,
who was present as the government's representative, announced
that he sought to regard the vote as one of confidence in the
Prime Minister. This is a common reply to motions of no-
confidence since, in that case, Knesset regulations say that
the request to express confidence overrules that for a no-
confidence vote, and that the vote must be held right
away.
In the vote over the third and final reading, the proposal --
including the Rabbi Halpert's amendment -- received a
majority of 20 supporters from the religious parties, as well
as from the Ichud Haleumi and Yisrael Achat, Likud and even
of Vilan of Meretz. Only Yossi Paritzki of Shinui was
opposed, as the other members of Shinui did not participate
in the vote. The original proposer of the law, Amnon
Rubinstein, also did not participate in the vote.
The victory may not effect any long-term changes as opponents
are likely to repeal the change in the near future. Moreover,
the Education Ministry, which would have to implement the
law, is in the hands of Meretz which is hostile to Torah.
