BICOM

On the final day of the Knesset’s summer session, the legislature approved a first reading of a controversial bill which would raise the electoral threshold, having a significant impact on smaller political parties.

The legislation proposes that the threshold be increased from two per cent to four per cent, in a bid to bring more stability to Israel’s typically fractious Knesset and coalition government. However, opponents of the bill argue that it is aimed at silencing smaller parties. In particular, small Arab parties currently in the Knesset would most likely need to consider joining forces if the legislation passes second and third readings after the parliamentary summer break. During the debate yesterday, several opposition MKs used their allotted three minutes at the podium to symbolically stand in silence.

Meretz leader Zahava Galon said her party stands “in solidarity with those Arab parties who may find themselves outside the Knesset.” However, Hatnuah faction head Meir Sheetrit argued that the bill is part of a wider debate on the country’s electoral system, saying “the excitement around this legislation is unnecessary. Until each of us is elected personally from a designated region… rather than our central committees or party leaders, we won’t have a ‘democratic’ reform here.” A first reading of the bill was approved by a vote of 64 in favour and 49 against. Although Adi Kol became the first Yesh Atid MK to vote against the party line, abstaining from the vote, she later issued an apology to her faction.

The first reading of an additional, related bill was also approved yesterday by a vote of 63 to 46 with two abstentions. The proposed legislation aims to generate more effective government by limiting the number of cabinet ministers to nine, deputy ministers to four and the number of permitted no-confidence motions to one a month.