Overnight, The Knesset approved in its first reading the “hametz law”, according to which a hospital administrator will be entitled to decide, among other things, to prohibit or limit the introduction of non-Kosher for Passover items into the medical institution's structure during Passover. 51 MKs supported the bill and 46 opposed it. The proposal will now be returned to the health committee, for discussions to prepare it for a second and third reading vote.
The coalition is determined to pass the legislation by the end of the current session so that the law will be in effect before Passover which begins April 5th. The author of the law, ultra-orthodox Knesset Member Moshe Gafni, said last night in the plenary: "Why do we have to stand here now and debate coalition and opposition? What are we going to change? Are we going to force a lifestyle on someone? Why did the Supreme Court intervene in this matter? The judges' power intoxication, thinking they can do anything."
By a majority of 51 to 46: Knesset approves first reading of 'Chametz Law': The bill, proposed by MK Moshe Gafni, will permit hospital administrators to bar the entry of chametz during Passover. https://t.co/6ZpYvYT5Rl ArutzSheva pic.twitter.com/YIqXDHB52i
— Jewish Community (@JComm_NewsFeeds) March 6, 2023
"This brazen intervention only focuses on issues against religion," Gafni continued. "In other matters, they walk on thorns, and here they say it fully and hope that there will be some anti-religious people who will applaud them. So we made the softest possible law, no one has authority except for the director of the hospital. Three-quarters of the Jewish people adhere to Hametz laws, so they should not come to the hospital because of this. What do the liberals in the opposition say to that patient who keeps Kosher and unfortunately has to be hospitalized on Passover?"
After the law was passed, opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on Twitter: "Like thieves in the night, the coalition voted for the hametz law. This two-month-old government has not passed anything for the public, but the most urgent (matter) to them tonight is religious coercion."
"Like thieves in the night the coalition voted for the 'chametz law'. This government is only 2 months old, it has not passed anything for the benefit of the Israeli public but this was most urgent tonight: religious coercion." Yair Lapid #Israel https://t.co/u6EzlL0tWA
— Eli Dror (@edrormba) March 6, 2023
According to the bill, which arose at the request of ultra-Orthodox members of the Knesset, the manager of a hospital could, as stated, determine whether to allow the introduction of Hametz on Pesach, as well as decide on "special arrangements" in order to maintain kosher on the holiday.
The unhealthy law against chametz in hospitals | Shuki Friedman | The Blogs https://t.co/NsaMamKaue
— mdk (@ccionuomision) February 26, 2023
According to the current version, instructions prohibiting or limiting the introduction of hametz will be published regularly on the hospital's website, and if there is no such website, on the Ministry of Health's website. The hospital will also post signage regarding the aforementioned instructions. In addition, the manager may authorize an employee to inform those arriving at the hospital's gates regarding the decided-upon instructions.
