Knesset sets special panel to fast-track Karhi’s communications reform
“And now the question is: what has changed? Why is the minister trying to bypass the committee with a comprehensive bill that reshapes the communications sector?”
The Knesset House Committee approved on Monday the creation of a special panel to fast-track the controversial communications bill of Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi (Likud), which proposes sweeping reforms in Israel’s broadcasting sector.
The newly established committee for the bill will be chaired by MK Galit Distel Atbaryan (Likud) and will include 13 members, with seven from the coalition and six from the opposition.
The bill was initially planned to be brought to the Knesset’s Economic Affairs Committee, led by MK David Bitan (Likud).
Knesset Legal Advisor Sagit Afik penned a letter to MKs on Sunday that the only authorized and appropriate committee to prepare the bill for its second and third readings would be the Economic Affairs Committee, led by Bitan.
Bitan has spoken against the reform, causing critics to speculate that the creation of the special committee was a move to allow for the controversial legislation to advance without objection.
