Coalition suffers fifth close loss in Knesset

The coalition faced another tough loss in the Knesset on Wednesday after a vote on a bill it supported ended with a tie. 

At the end of a stormy debate, the Knesset rejected a preliminary reading of a bill proposed by MK Yifat Shasha-Biton (Kulanu) to lower the minimum age at which children can begin working summer jobs from 14 to 13. 

MK Shasha-Biton stressed that the law would only practically apply during “summer vacations and only in an organized and regulated manner approved in the course of the legislative process.”

“If we allow lowering the age, we will also enable a solution for parents who want to create structure and grant an incentive to children who will receive pocket money,” she explained. “The more kids are busy during the day, the less they will be prowling around at night.”

“I would not promote this law if it did not include clear mechanisms of supervision,” Shasha-Biton added. 

Arguing against the bill, MK Shelly Yechimovich (Zionist Union) said its passage would mark “one of the most shameful moments in the history of the Knesset.” 

“It’s unbelievable that in 2015 in a western country you want to enact such a law,” she blasted. “One of aspects of the Enlightenment was rescuing children from the work force and you want to re-lower the working age.”

“Let children be children. Do not send them to work to support their families. Come, let’s spare the humiliation.” 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu then intervened in the discussion, noting that while the Israel National Council for the Child supports the law, he understood the ambivalence of other Knesset members. 

He suggested the bill be approved, but to continue discussions on it in the relevant Knesset committee. 

At the end of voting, the bill was rejected after 43 Knesset members voted in favor along with an equal 43 opposed. 

Zionist Union chairman Yitzhak Herzog praised the bill’s failure to pass on Twitter, asserting “the opposition once again took down an unnecessary and dangerous law from the coalition. Brick by brick, the change Israel deserves will come.”

“Bringing down this law which tried to take us back a generation on the subject of child labor is clear social victory for the opposition.”