'Transparency Law' passes first reading

Arutz Sheva ^ | 9/2/16 | Ben Ariel

[Eleutheria5]

The Knesset on Monday night approved the first reading of the so-called “Transparency Law”, initiated by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked.

The bill would require Israeli NGOs who receive more than half of their funds from foreign states to disclose their sources of funding and identify themselves as "foreign agents" when lobbying MKs.

50 MKs voted in favor of the bill and 43 voted against.

The bill has been criticized due to the fact that it will only affect left-wing organizations, who receive funding from European countries and the United States, as opposed to right-wing groups who are more likely to be funded by private donors.

Ambassador Dan Shapiro as well as EU ambassador Lars Faaborg-Andersen met with Shaked in recent weeks to voice concerns. They, as well as envoys from individual European nations, have also attempted to meet with coalition MKs in a bid to derail the legislation.

Shaked's bill has also faced the objection of opposition parties, with the Yesh Atid faction even going so far as to file a no-confidence motion based on the proposed legislation.

But Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu last week rejected the criticism, saying the law is meant to generate greater transparency on the activities of foreign governments within Israeli democracy, adding that the bill "has been met with complaints from those who usually support transparency."

"This bill is right, democratic and necessary, and this bill will pass," the Prime Minister stressed.

Speaking before Monday evening’s vote, Shaked blasted the leftist parties which criticized the initiative...

.....

[Eleutheria5]

How can they disclose that which will show their criminal conspiracy? Of course they oppose.

[DoughtyOne]

[MarvinStinson]

Netanyahu last week rejected the criticism, saying the law is meant to generate greater transparency on the activities of foreign governments within Israeli democracy, adding that the bill “has been met with complaints from those who usually support transparency.”

[MarvinStinson]

bmp

[stephenjohnbanker]

“Netanyahu last week rejected the criticism, saying the law is meant to generate greater transparency on the activities of foreign governments within Israeli democracy,”

Well....Yeah!

[Mr Apple]

But Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu last week rejected the criticism, saying the law is meant to generate greater transparency on the activities of foreign governments within Israeli democracy...

Ditto, Well Yeah.