Many parts of the coalition agreements already signed have caused quite a stir in the Israeli public. Perhaps the most controversial policy reform revealed in recent days comes from the Likud’s coalition agreements with the two Jewish religious parties it will be sitting with, after the swearing-in ceremony expected this coming Thursday. However, the controversial legislation seems to be galvanizing the country's major corporations to counter the law by using the language of the law to punish those who use the law.
According to the controversial section of the agreements, an amendment to the discrimination law will be passed, in a way that will allow any private business to refuse to provide a service or product due to religious belief, if a similar alternative can be obtained in close geographical proximity at a similar price.
Orit Strock, future member of Netanyahu's government, referred to the new law, proposed by her party, confirming that an MD, among other professions,will be able to refuse to treat LGBT, or Palestinian or short persons, if it contradict his
— Noga Eitan (@NOGATAN) December 25, 2022
beliefs.>> pic.twitter.com/mpmZfYjSmw
This section has raised concerns about gender segregation in businesses or a refusal to provide services to members of the LGBT community, however, it seems both the Religious Zionist party and the UTJ are not backing down from their demands.
In response to the recent statements by the members of the designated government regarding the new legislation, Israel Discount Bank announced this Monday morning that the bank's board of directors received the management's recommendation to update the bank's credit policy, according to which they will not grant credit to a business or body that discriminates against customers on the basis of religion, race, sex or sexual orientation. The bank’s politically-charged statement did not specify how they could check for “discrimination” in practice.
#Breaking: Israel Discount Bank announces it will not extend credit to any business or organization that discriminates on the basis of religion, race, sex or orientation. pic.twitter.com/BolFqggoeW
— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي (@NTarnopolsky) December 26, 2022
The chairman of the board, Shaul Kobrinsky, said: "The obvious policy will be officially validated. According to the policy, Discount will not grant credit to businesses or entities that discriminate against customers in the State of Israel". Israeli software company “Wiz”, also released a statement in which they reserve the right to end business with entities that chose to exercise the new amendment.
Knesset Member Orit Strock of the Religious Zionist party said that according to the amendment to the discrimination law, "as long as there are enough other doctors who can provide a service - it is forbidden to force a doctor to give treatment that is contrary to their religious position."
Hard not to feel bad for @netanyahu. Yesterday he had to condemn anti-gay remarks by @oritstrock & @rothmar. Today he has to condemn his son Yair who hinted that prosecutors need to be executed.
— Yaakov Katz (@yaakovkatz) December 26, 2022
On other hand, hard to feel bad since it’s his doing. He created all of this. https://t.co/PceqBtkn9U
Another member of MK Strock’s party, Simcha Rothman, said theoretically, the religious owner of a hotel could choose not to host a group of homosexuals, "if this goes against his faith and hurts his religious feelings." According to Rothman, "the bill does not seek to abolish the total prohibition of discrimination, but says that when there is a religious prohibition of a person from performing a certain action, we will not force him to do something that is contrary to his faith."
