Livni: Those backing 'NGO probe bill' are against Israel

At Knesset session, opposition leader slams as "cowardly" proposed bill to probe activities of NGOs; bill-proponent Kirschenbaum: "This is a fight for the image of the country"; Meretz MK: FM deligitimizes Israel.

Livni take me 298 (photo credit: Kadima Spokesperson)
Livni take me 298
(photo credit: Kadima Spokesperson)
The proposed bill establishing committees of inquiry to investigate the activities and funding of left-wing NGOs is "cowardly," opposition leader Tzipi Livni said Wednesday during a special Knesset session to vote on the proposed legislation.
"This is a cowardly act. What is happening here today will be a trigger for those who do not accept the state of Israel," Livni said at the session. "This [law] will balance the delegitimization."
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"Those who vote in favor of this law will become voters against Israel. The evil spirits that have filled the Knesset are anti-democratic and violate the interests of the state of Israel," she said.
"This idea came about as a way to probe citizens who do not think like you," the opposition leader said referring to the the proponents of the bill.
The Knesset session was held over two bills. One, submitted by Israel Beiteinu MK Faina Kirschenbaum, would probe the damage done by the NGOs to the IDF. The second, sponsored by Likud MK Danny Danon, would investigate the contributions the NGOs received from foreign countries.
Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz, also speaking out against the bills, accused Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman of being "the main figure to deligitimize Israel" through his criticism of NGOs such as Yesh Din.
Kirschenbaum, who first submitted the proposal for the probe into left-wing NGOs, defended the bill saying, "This is a fight for the image of the country."
Labor MK Raleb Majadele used the podium to criticize what he called the "poor treatment" of the country's minorities.
"If you don't care for the minority, the world will judge you," he said noting how haredim "are paid to pray, while I, who prays five times a day, get nothing."
The Labor MK called on other MKs to "climb down from your tree, take care of Israeli society, and stop inciting the minority."