Bill seeks to make it illegal to discriminate against soldiers in uniform

16 MKs voted in favor of the Yesh Atid-sponsored legislation and none opposed.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Soldiers with battery packs. (photo credit: Courtesy)
Soldiers with battery packs.
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Legislation prohibiting discrimination against soldiers in uniform passed its first reading in the Knesset on Wednesday.
The bill proposed by MK Pnina Tamnu-Shata (Yesh Atid) would forbid discrimination in providing a product or service or in entering a public place against soldiers and members of other security and rescue forces such as the police, firefighters, prison guards and Magen David Adom staff.
Tamnu-Shata presented the bill to the Knesset, saying that in recent years, discrimination against people in uniform has become a growing phenomenon.
“This bill will defend those who go to battle to defend all of us,” she explained.
“Unfortunately, we all saw the demonstrations in which people held signs with hollow slogans against IDF soldiers or articles by people like [farleft Haaretz columnist] Gideon Levy [who wrote that all IAF pilots are war criminals],” Tamnu-Shata said. According to the lawmaker, there is “wild incitement” against soldiers that could turn into actions.
“We must set limits for words of incitement against soldiers.
Not everything is allowed in the name of democracy. The message of this bill is important.
Soldiers should wear their uniforms proudly in any place in the State of Israel,” she said.
The bill passed its first reading with 16 MKs in favor and none opposed.