CABINET COMMUNIQUE
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday, 8 July 2012):
1. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks:
"Several months ago, I said that I would submit to the Knesset a law on
service for everyone. I said that what has been is not what will be, because
on the issue of the division of the burden the existing situation cannot
continue. Neither the army, the economy nor society can continue on the
current path. Therefore, I completely understand the demand of those who
serve and their families.
I also believe that the decisive majority of Israelis, including many in the
ultra-orthodox sector, understand that change must come. We are citizens of
one state and we must all participate in bearing the burden of service to
the state. We intend to give positive incentives to those who serve,
negative incentives to those who evade and to enact genuine enforcement
measures in order to ensure that a genuine change indeed takes place.
After 64 years in which this issue has not been properly dealt with, we are
facing a historic move, a dramatic increase in the participation of the
ultra-orthodox and Arab publics in bearing the burden. Such an increase has
started, it is welcome, it is important – but it is not enough. We want to
bring about a dramatic increase in the rate of participation.
In order for this increased involvement to succeed, we must enact it
gradually and in a way that does not lead to a rift in the nation. Our unity
is the first component of our national strength. In light of all this, I
have agreed with Minister Mofaz on the immediate establishment of a team to
formulate draft legislation on equality in bearing the burden
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/Spokesman/2012/07/spokenetel080712.htm
I have appointed Minister Mofaz and former Chief-of-Staff Moshe Yaalon to
represent us, the Government, on the team. MK Plesner will also be
appointed. They will be joined, as necessary, by Defense, Finance and
Justice Ministry representatives, and by a Civilian Service representative.
The goal is to formulate a draft law this week in order to submit it to next
week's Cabinet meeting. The new law will apply to everyone: Secular and
ultra-orthodox, Jews and Arabs, everyone.
We will enact an historic change in the division of the burden. We will
dramatically increase the number of those who bear the burden. We will
maintain the unity of the nation."
2. Pursuant to Article 23 of the 1959 State Service law (Appointments), the
cabinet appointed Aridi Naim as Israeli Ambassador to Norway in place of
Eligal Michael.
3. The Cabinet also approved the following appointments:
* Menachem Kanafy as Israeli Consul-General in Bangalore; and
* Raphael Harpaz as Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan.
4. Pursuant to Article 12 of Basic Law: The President of the State
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/1960_1969/Basic%20Law-%20The%20President%20of%20the%20State
the Cabinet decided that Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman shall be the
authorized minister to countersign the President's signature regarding:
* pardons for offenders and reducing/commuting their sentences, according to
Article 11b of the aforesaid Basic Law; and
* the President's authority under Article 18 of the 1981 Criminal Registry
Law.
5. The Cabinet approved draft amendments to legislation regarding the
location of the assets of Holocaust victims and their restoration to the
victims' heirs. Click here
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMO/Secretarial/Govmes/2012/07/govmes080712.htm
for further details.
6. The Cabinet decided to conclude the bringing of the Falash Mura to Israel
no later than March 2014
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/Spokesman/2012/07/spokeklita080712.htm
Click here
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMO/Secretarial/Govmes/2012/07/govmes080712.htm
for further details.
7. The Cabinet decided to increase – and provide budgets for – projects to
encourage immigrant absorption in the field of education
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/Spokesman/2012/07/spokeklita080712.htm
Click here
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMO/Secretarial/Govmes/2012/07/govmes080712.htm
for further details.
8. Transportation, National Infrastructures and Road Safety Minister Yisrael
Katz briefed the Cabinet on his ministry's activities in 2011-2012 and on
current and future transportation projects.
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