Jerusalem Post Reports Overwhelming Support For Assisted Suicide Bill In The Knesset

Physician-assisted suicide and the struggle for the soul of the State of Israel 

our previous stories on this story

By SHIMSHON HAKOHEN NADEL

06/18/2014 22:44

According to Jewish Law, euthanasia is not compassion – it is murder.

On June 8, a bill proposed by Yesh Atid MK Ofer Shelah legalizing physician- assisted suicide passed the Knesset’s Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs in a vote of 8-2. If passed, the new law would allow doctors to administer a lethal injection to terminally ill patients who have six months or less to live. And while there has been some opposition from lawmakers and the Chief Rabbinate, what is surprising is the overwhelming support for the new bill – by Knesset Members and the Israeli public.

Advocates of such a law question the quality of life for patients in the last stages of a terminal illness. They speak about "freedom of choice", a patient’s right to autonomy, dying with dignity, and compassion.

Even the late “Dr. Death,” Jack Kevorkian, called the device he used in the deaths of some of the 130 people he helped euthanize the “Mercitron,” evoking "mercy" and "compassion".

But according to Jewish Law, euthanasia is not compassion – it is murder (See Rambam, Hil. Rotze’ah 2:2-3). A patient has no right to take his own life, and, as Chief Rabbi David Lau already commented, a doctor’s sole responsibility is to heal – not to end life (see Shulhan Arukh, Yoreh De’ah 336:1).

While some of the greatest legal authorities of the 20th century such as Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ruled that in some cases introducing treatment and taking measures in order to extend life are no longer required, all agree that doing anything to hasten the death of a terminally ill patient is akin to murder. Even in the case of a goses, who according to most authorities has less than 72 hours left to live, it is forbidden to take any action that may hasten his death – even touching the patient is prohibited! (Shulhan Arukh, Yoreh De’ah 339:1) The Talmud (Avodah Zara 18a) relates that when Rabbi Chanina ben Tradion was being burned alive by the Romans, his students begged him to end his suffering by opening his mouth and allowing the flames to enter. Rabbi Chanina replied, “It is better for He who gave [me my soul] to take it, rather than cause injury to myself.”

This account illustrates that even the dying patient, suffering in pain, is prohibited from taking any action to hasten his death. R. Avraham Danzig rules that one must abstain from doing anything even if the patient’s pain is severe and his family is suffering severe emotional pain (Hokhmat Adam 151:14).

This should not be mistaken for cruelty or a lack of compassion. Instead, it expresses Judaism’s emphasis on life. Concerning the Torah’s laws, we are instructed to “Live by them” (Leviticus 18:5). The Talmud (Yoma 85b) adds, “And not die by them,” requiring the violation of all but three Torah laws in order to preserve life. For in the Jewish tradition, life is of infinite worth. A famous Talmudic passage teaches, “If any person has caused a single soul to perish, Scripture regards him as if he had caused an entire world to perish. And if any human being saves a single soul, Scripture regards him as if he has saved an entire world” (Sanhedrin 37a).

While advocates for physician-assisted suicide argue that a life of pain and suffering is not worth living, our tradition teaches that even the last few moments of life are of immeasurable worth.

And while even secular ethicists agree that euthanasia presents serious ethical, moral and legal questions, in some countries like Belgium and the Netherlands physician-assisted suicide is legal. Even in the United States, physician-assisted suicide has been legal in the State of Oregon since 1994. Oregon’s Death with "Dignity" Act allows for a physician to prescribe a lethal dose of medication for the purpose of ending the patient’s life. In fact, MK Ofer Shelah’s bill was designed based on Oregon law.

But Israel is not Belgium, the Netherlands, or the State of Oregon. The State of Israel is the "Jewish" state not when it talks about laws like this, and religious affiliations aside, Judaism values life above all.

In Judaism, life has sanctity. A law legalizing physician-assisted suicide threatens to extra words undermines the Jewish character of the Jewish state.

It’s high time we embrace our status as a “light unto the nations.” As the Shelah bill proceeds to a preliminary reading and is assigned to a committee, the State of Israel, as the Jewish state, has an obligation to articulate a clear message to the world that life has value and sanctity, and must be protected and preserved.




where are the protest in Yerushalim for this bill which is infinitely worse then then the draft


The author lives and teaches in Jerusalem.
(Jerusalem Post) highlights my additions
If you don't know about this story here are 2 stories from YWN

Israel: Ministerial Committee Approves Physician Approved Euthanasia Bill R”L 
 The Prescription Death Bill was debated by the Ministerial Law Committee on Sunday, 10 Sivan 5774. The bill sponsored by MK (Yesh Atid) Ofir Shelach seeks to pass into law "mercy" killings accompanied by a physician’s orders. The ministerial committee passed the bill.

If passed into law, a physician would be permitted to write a prescription to deliver a lethal dose of medication to a dying patient, to end one’s suffering. If the Knesset passes the bill into law, a doctor writing a fatal prescription will not be liable for any criminal activity under the law.

Shelach told his colleagues the problem is a big one, widespread, and one that needs to be addressed. He stated that with today’s technology and medical advancement life can be prolonged. He feels that his bill will give a patient a measure of control over his own life even during his final days. He feels the bill, if passed into law, will eliminate the legal issues faced by physicians wishing to assist one in ending one’s life today.
(YWN)
Chief Rabbi Lau Shlita Blasts Euthanasia Bill 

Chief Rabbi David Lau Shlita told chareidi radio on Monday night the eve of 12 Sivan 5774 that the Euthanasia Bill passed by the Ministerial Law Committee earlier this week negates halacha and is nothing short of murder. Rav Lau cited how halacha permits physicians to heal, not chas v’sholom to take a life, a decision that remains exclusively in HKBH’s hands, not mortal man.

The rav warned that such an outrageous bill begins with taking the life of one who is terminally ill to end one’s suffering. From there it will extend to the mentally ill, and then even addressing those with what perceive to be poor quality of life. He expressed outrage over the bill and called on the ministers to reverse the unacceptable decision.

The bill would permit physicians to write a prescription for a fatal cocktail for terminally ill patients wishing to bring their suffering to an end.
 (YWN)
What ever happened to the veto power that Bayit Yehudi Has on on bills of that are against the Torah?

Yesh Atid Sponsors Assisted "Suicide" Bill In Israel

Ministerial committee to mull 'death by prescription' bill

Amendment to Terminal Patient Law seeks to allow terminally ill patients to ask their doctors to prescribe lethal sedatives to end their suffering, exempting the doctors from criminal liability • Doctors warn move might lessen the value placed on life.

Bill seeks to legalize doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients [Illustrative] | Photo credit: Reuters

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation plans to debate a new bill that seeks to legalize doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients.

The proposal, dubbed the "death by prescription" bill, was drafted by MK Ofer Shelah (Yesh Atid). It will be presented to the committee on Sunday the one that just passed. 

Shelah aims to amend the existing Terminal Patient Law, which was passed in 2005 and regulates the medical treatments offered to terminally ill patients, and their right to demand or refuse to use drastic lifesaving measures. 

While the existing law allows doctors to refrain from prolonging the life of a terminally ill patient whose life expectancy is under six months, it prevents patients for actively seeking medical assistance to end their lives. 

The amendment will allow a terminally ill patient to ask his doctor to prescribe a lethal dose of sedatives to end his suffering. The proposal stipulates that any such request must be made in front of witnesses and on multiple occasions.

Doctors would still be barred from administering the lethal dose, and patients would have to take it themselves, exempting doctors from any criminal liability for their death.

In the United States, physician-assisted "suicide" is legal in Oregon, Washington and Vermont.

The bill has sparked controversy in the medical community in Israel, and many doctors have urged Shelah's fellow Yesh Atid member Health Minister Yael German to oppose the bill. 

"Doctors in Israel have earned the public's trust because of our outstanding dedication to saving lives," Israel Medical Association Chairman Dr. Leonid Idelman said. "This trust will be detrimentally harmed if, heaven forbid, any doctor pursues euthanasia."

In a letter to German, Idelman noted that the World Medical Association's official position on the matter states that euthanasia is unethical. 

A senior medical source said that should the bill pass, "it would lead to a slippery slope and lessen the value society places on life."

(israelhayom) highlights our mine for clarification

Moshe Feiglin Also Attacks Bayit Yehudi Due To Mishkav Zachar; And His Attack Was Not Hypocritical

Deputy Knesset Chairman Moshe Feiglin (Likud) was the only nationalist MK to vote against a bill giving same-sex "couples" a tax break this week. The bill was voted for by Likud-Beytenu, and Jewish Home Chairman Naftali Bennett notice how he is the anti religious person in Bayit Yehudi. The remaining 11 Jewish Home MKs left the hall to abstain. Sheket was not there but wanted to vote for it

Only the hareidi-religious parties, Feiglin, and MK Eitan Cabel he voted against the bill because he wasn't sure the final bill would include the language explicitly mentioning mishkav zachar (the bill wasn't treiph enough) (Labor) opposed the bill, which was proposed by MK Adi Kol (Yesh Atid).

"Again it was proven that only the right is capable of expelling Jews, and only the "religious" are capable of harming the religion," Feiglin told Arutz Sheva.

"Last week it was the Jerusalem bill, before that it was the Bedouins in the Negev and the release of terrorists, and now recognition of same-sex "couples"," remarked Feiglin. "For the first time they have recognized an institution that undermines the normative family foundations and Jewish family values."The later part of his statement seems a lot stronger and on topic then Meir Porush's overall attack on Bayit Yehudi "which after 65 years lends a hand to passing many laws that are destroying Yiddishkheit"

Feiglin's comment on the Jerusalem bill refers to the absence of the nationalist camp in a vote last Wednesday, on a bill requiring 80 MKs to approve any Jerusalem withdrawals. Feiglin joined 11 hareidi MKs in voting for the bill that was rejected.

At the time, Feiglin said he "looked at the empty seats of Likud, Jewish Home, and Yisrael Beytenu, and when their names were called and 'not present' was called - I thought to myself, truly the 'right' is not present."

Feiglin calls the Jewish Home claims that the same-sex bill will be changed in committee debates "utter nonsense."

"They are trying to minimize the damage, but it won't happen," commented Feiglin. "We are witnesses to the attack on all foundational values of society, on all fronts, including the national identity and the gender and familial identity, and the coalition is giving a hand to it all."

"Unfortunately on all the meaningful fronts, the nationalist camp has not placed goals for itself," the Likud MK concluded.

Coalition allies Jewish Home and Yesh Atid found themselves at odds over the same-sex "marriage" issue initially, even leading to a coalition crisis.

Eventually a compromise was reached whereby same-sex couples would receive equal tax breaks but not through official recognition in the legislation, sparing Jewish Home from being perceived as officially condoning same-sex marriage.

Bennett's enabling of Yesh Atid's agenda has sparked criticism from within his own party, as Jewish Home MKs on Monday said Bennett and his confidante MK Ayelet Shaked are letting themselves be "pushed around" by Finance Minister Yair Lapid's party.
(Arutz Sheva)
While every single person in the keneset was mechiyuv to vote against this evil bill Feiglin was the only person who actually passed their nesayon.  Politically this was a bad move for Feiglin to go against his own party and his coalition.  Since the charadi Parties are in the opposition and their votes were not necessary for the vote to pass, They had no POLITICAL reason to support this bill and every POLITICAL reason to oppose it (like Meretz, and Labor from an anti Torah View). This besides the fact that Meir Porush has the added reason of criticizing Bayit Yehudi because to bash them where they are 100% wrong it helps fight the draft war.
 
Since Moshe Feiglin took a politically hard stance He's the one who obligates (see Yoma 35A) others to vote against this, and has the right, should, and did critique Bayit "Yehudi"!

Meir Porush Hypocritically Yet Correctly Attacks Bayit Yehudi For Allowing Toevah

Ne'emanei Eretz Yisrael
The bill to grant tax incentives to to’eva "couples", sponsored by Yesh Atid, passed its preliminary reading in Knesset on Wednesday 22 Teves as expected. The bill is sponsored by MK Dr. Adi Koll and it was passed after it was reworded to obtain Bayit Yehudi’s support, critical towards passing the bill. The bill passed in a 40-22 vote.
In response, MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Meir Porush accuses Bayit Yehudi of being מכשיר את השרץ, legitimizing that which is unholy.

Bayit Yehudi agreed to support the bill after all reference to to’eva couples was removed. In its place, the bill stipulates the finance minister can decide to apply the law as he sees fit. There is no doubt that Yesh Atid leader Finance Minister Yair Lapid will apply it to to’eva couples, the original intention of the bill.

Porush points a finger of blame at the dati leumi party “which after 65 years lends a hand to passing many laws that are destroying Yiddishkheit”.

It was a stormy Knesset session as Lapid told chareidim “we live in a society and of entitlement and responsibility and those who contribute to society will receive”.

For Porush and other chareidi lawmakers, their anger is directed at the dati leumi party, for its decision to support the bill was instrumental. or is it because of the draft?
(YWN)
If Agudah was so against this bill how come most charadim didn't even knew about this bill, which fight was going on for the past month?
How come Agudah is only protesting the draft and not something that is infinitely worse?
How come the mosetzes is only protesting the draft?
How could Aguda even think of having "increased cooperation" with Labor which didn't vote for this mishkav zachar bill because they weren't 100% that it will mention mishkav zachar by name?
How come Degel Hatorah met with Netanyahu and didn't speak out on Mishkav Zachar?

Speaking with Kikar Shabbos, Yahadut Hatorah MK Rabbi Menachem Eliezer Moses explains that he feels the planned shlichus of the admorim to the USA is already having an impact on state officials. Moses is confident they are already feeling the pressure since they understand the significance of the act.

Moses earlier in the week met with MK (Labor) Yitzchak Herzog, explaining he met with the opposition leader in his capacity as leader of Yahadut Hatorah in Knesset. “We are disappointment with Netanyahu’s performance and it appears he has forgotten we were once longtime partners” Moses adds.

Moses feels the future will bring increased cooperation between his party and Labor for they agree on core issues. Moses is aware that Herzog sees himself as a viable candidate to become the next prime minister and therefore, the opposition leader is genuinely interested in striking a deal with the chareidim.

with Kikar Shabbos, Yahadut Hatorah MK Rabbi Menachem Eliezer Moses explains that he feels the planned shlichus of the admorim to the USA is already having an impact on state officials. Moses is confident they are already feeling the pressure since they understand the significance of the act.
Moses earlier in the week met with MK (Labor) Yitzchak Herzog, explaining he met with the opposition leader in his capacity as leader of Yahadut Hatorah in Knesset. “We are disappointment with Netanyahu’s performance and it appears he has forgotten we were once longtime partners” Moses adds.
Moses feels the future will bring increased cooperation between his party and Labor for they agree on core issues. Moses is aware that Herzog sees himself as a viable candidate to become the next prime minister and therefore, the opposition leader is genuinely interested in striking a deal with the chareidim.

When asked how Yahadut Hatorah can partner with the left-wing party, Moses explained there is much in common and it could work quite nicely. When asked about Labor’s support of talks with the PA (Palestinian Authority), the party’s left-wing political allegiance, Moses responded “we will cross that bridge when we come to it,” clearly signaling that for him this is not a core issue and either is apparently mishkav zachar.

What will make a difference is Bayit Yehudi’s reaction as diplomatic talks between Israel and the PA move forward.

Regarding the upcoming shlichus of the admorim to the United States, Moses states “It’s no wonder they are traveling abroad to influence others since sadly, at home no one is willing to listen to what we have to say. Perhaps after the impact of this historic trip is felt, the influence from there will be felt here.”
(YWN)

MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Rav Moshe Gafne met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday evening 20 Teves 5774, ahead of the Shaked Committee finalizing the new chareidi draft law.
It is reported that Gafne did not hide his concerns regarding the current coalition, its policies and the draft law something seems to be missing. He called on the prime minister to soften the severity of the law, which is met with widespread chareidi objections are present.

Persons close to Gafne add that in recent days he stated that if the prime minister truly wanted to rid himself of Yesh Atid as the media leaks indicate he does, Mr. Netanyahu has had ample opportunity to do so of late as Lapid and his party continue to defy the prime minister and his Likud party.
Nevertheless Mr. Netanyahu continues with the current coalition, which Gafne feels suits him fine, telling Mr. Netanyahu that he does not believe he wants to bring the chareidim into the coalition.
(YWN)
Each bayit yehudi Member deserves plenty of criticism for abstaining and not voting against the mishkav zachar bill (Kal vechomer Bennett, and Shaked) 

However the fact that the haradiem did nothing helped make this situation possible.  

If all Orthodox Jews (Edah, Degel, Aguda, Hesder, Shas, etc.) would have protested this saying unequivocally this is completely against the essence of Yiddishkeit it would have forced Bennet to veto this evil bill

The bill to grant tax incentives to to’eva couples, sponsored by Yesh Atid, passed its preliminary reading in Knesset on Wednesday 22 Teves as expected. The bill is sponsored by MK Dr. Adi Koll and it was passed after it was reworded to obtain Bayit Yehudi’s support, critical towards passing the bill. The bill passed in a 40-22 vote.
In response, MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Meir Porush accuses Bayit Yehudi of being מכשיר את השרץ, legitimizing that which is unholy.
Bayit Yehudi agreed to support the bill after all reference to to’eva couples was removed. In its place, the bill stipulates the finance minister can decide to apply the law as he sees fit. There is no doubt that Yesh Atid leader Finance Minister Yair Lapid will apply it to to’eva couples, the original intention of the bill.

Porush points a finger of blame at the dati leumi party “which after 65 years lends a hand to passing many laws that are destroying Yiddishkheit”.
It was a stormy Knesset session as Lapid told chareidim “we live in a society and of entitlement and responsibility and those who contribute to society will receive”.
For Porush and other chareidi lawmakers, their anger is directed at the dati leumi party, for its decision to support the bill was instrumental.

Don't Protest The Israeli Draft; Protest Mishkav Zachar

 In a war the worst mistake you can make is to fall for a diversion.  Anyone with an ounce of sechel know that the draft is a diversion for something.  The fact is that the chilloniem do not want more Religious Jews in the army.  They already are upset that some Orthodox Jews refuse to listen to orders that are against Halacha.  Remember the Kol Isha story (read the comments). The last thing the Chilloniem want is more Orthodox Jews in the army that are going to follow halacha before army protocol.  So the answer to why they are  doing this is it's a diversion.  They are really looking to make Israel a secular nation.  The party ran on a ticket whose platform included public transportation on shabbos, Civil "marraiges and divorces (remeber this will lead to mamzerieim accoriding to all shitas), and changing the way geyrus is done.  But worst of all they are trying to pass gay "rights" including "marriage".  Over the past few weeks Yesh Atid's crusade for gay rights" specially a parenting tax bill that Yesh Atid includes language that would recognize homosexual relationships, a .  Even though Bennet (wrongly) promised not to veto the bill if it did included language that recognized these "relationships", but would still give them the same benefits, showing Yesh Atid's true goals. This crusade has has threatened the coaltion, as one likud member said 

• A senior Likud official said Habayit Hayehudi’s complaints were justified. “Lapid is deliberately creating serious disputes and rifts within the coalition,” he said. “He’s advancing an organized campaign to promote legislation on religion and state, and especially rights for same-sex couples, despite knowing this upsets Habayit Hayehudi. From a coalition standpoint, Bennett and his faction colleagues are right in claiming they [Yesh Atid] don’t consider them before raising these proposals. But on the other hand, they [Habayit Hayehudi] erred by sending out a flood of press statements last week saying they’d defeated Yesh Atid and caused them to cave.”  (haaretz)

Yesh Atid has sponsored a few bills pushing the gay agenda, a tax bill for gay "parents" that they are requiring language that recognizes their relationship, a bill that would allow  gay "couples" to have children via Israeli surrogates. They Also have sponsored a "civil union" bill that is really a civil/GAY "marriage" bill.  And Sunday Yesh Atid passed the first step in an anti gay "discrimination" bill.

Anyone who protest the draft is strengthening the diversionary tactic, and really supporting mishkav Zachar. What Yesh Atid is trying to accomplish is to make charadiem so worked up over the draft, that they don't fight the gay agenda (which is what God really wants) because all they care about is the draft (this has already happened with many including a few rabbaniem).  Then Yesh Atid will make a deal gay "rights" for a temporary reprieve from the draft. The process will keep on repeating itself.  Don't fall for the diversion.

 

the rest of the article is from the  Haaretz,  highlighted text is ours

Israel nears law banning "discrimination" based on sexual orientation

Bill returned to ministerial committee for re-vote after its rejection last week; Haaretz poll: 48 MKs would support bill on gay rights.

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation voted Sunday in favor of a bill prohibiting "discrimination" based on sexual orientation.

The bill, sponsored by Yesh Atid minister Ofer Shelah, was voted down by the same panel last week. But it was raised again after both Health Minister Yael German also YESH ATID and Limor Livnat (Likud) requested a revote.

Several bills sponsored by Yesh Atid to promote gay rights and change the status quo on religion and state were scheduled to be debated Sunday, just as a new Haaretz most likley biased poll found that 70 percent of the public supports equal rights for gays.

Eli Ben Dahan, the deputy Religious Services minister Beit Yehudi, condemned Yesh Atid’s attempt to promote legislation on religious-state issues without coordinating with Habayit Hayehudi. “All issues of religion and state in this Knesset are on my shoulders alone,” Ben Dahan said. “If you want to advance proposals on issues of religion and state, the route is through me, or it will not happen. That's how it is – it’s not pleasant, I know,” he said last week. Many of the Mizrachi Rabbaniem are putting pressure on Bennett to not give in to the gays.  Their are even reports of Bayit Yehudi threatening to leave the coalition over gays rights. Why hasn't the charadi media covered this, is it because they would be embarrassed that Satmar helped pass same gender "marriage" in NY??

 Meanwhile, 70 percent of Israelis support "equal rights" for the gay community, according to a poll conducted for Haaretz by the Dialog Institute under the supervision of Prof. Camil Fuchs of the Tel Aviv University Statistics Department. There is relatively broad support for this among the religious, traditional and Arab communities, though ultra-Orthodox Jews but will they vote against it if Yesh Atid promises to stop the draft? remain firmly opposed.

According to the poll conducted on Thursday, 89 percent of secular people say they are in favor of full equality, as did 72 percent of traditional respondents and 46 percent of those who defined themselves as religious and Arabs. Only 8 percent of Haredim expressed support. Support for "equal rights" for gays is higher among women than men.

Many of the various bills being proposed to equalize "gay rights" would be unnecessary if same-sex couples could "marry" in Israel, since the unmarried status is the source of discrimination in many areas, but Jewish couples can only marry through the Rabbinate unless they go abroad.notice their goal is same gender "marriage" in Eretz Yisroail. 


The Knesset is divided enough over gay rights to make it hard to predict whether legislation on the issue will pass, according to a Haaretz survey. And since the kenneset passes a law by majority of all voting members is a "Charadi" keneset member goes to the bathroom out to daven during the vote, it can help pass this evil law.  If Chas Veshalom Israel passes a gay rights law it will be the biggest chillul Hashem the state has ever done.

The LGBT community can apparently count on at least 50 of the Knesset’s 120 MKs if even a few members don't vote the bill can pass,  with a similar number opposing. LGBT supporters include members of center and left parties: Yesh Atid, Hatnuah, Labor, Meretz and Hadash.

It’s unclear how many of Likud’s 20 MKs would support a change in legislation they may only need 1 person against to not vote. Ministers Limor Livnat, Gilad Erdan and Gideon Sa’ar declined to take part in the survey but have all voted in favor of gay rights in recent months now their up to 53 with 61 they can pass any law they want.

Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin says he supports equal rights but not formal recognition of a gay couple as married54.

In recent days a number of MKs have said they want to ensure equal rights for the gay community and prevent discrimination, even if they object to full recognition by the stateand how has protesting the draft effected this what God really wants is for every single Jew in Israel to protest these evil laws.

At least 48 MKs appear sure to vote against a bill recognizing gay rights I wish I had the emuna of Haraetz on this, either way they need more. These include MKs from right-of-center parties Habayit Hayehudi , Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas and United Torah Judaism, as well as Arab MKs from United Arab List-Ta’al and Balad.

Habayit Hayehudi chief Naftali Bennett who is pandering to the left by saying he has no problem with giving gays tax benefits for their "relationships" as long as the state doesn't recognize them said last week he opposes official recognition of the gay community without an extensive public debate. The party’s Eli Ben Dahan, also deputy religious services minister, said he would not cooperate with laws accepting gays as couples. Ayelet Shaked not Orthodox is perhaps the only contrarian in Habayit Hayehudi, but the party said none of its MKs would take part in the survey.

MK Elazar Stern from Hatnuah, a party committed to pro-LGBT legislation, also declined to state his opinions. Stern has said in the past he supports pro-gay legislation but prefers dialogue to legislation. Party chief Tzipi Livni and MK David Tsur strongly support the official recognition of gay couples as "married".

Yesh Atid MKs widely support full recognition of gay rights. Even its "Orthodox" Jewish MK, Dov Lipman, says he favors “full equality in civil rights.”Is Lipman claiming that Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg supported "gay rights"?  maybe he meant "Rabbi" Matis Weinberg, who as a bachur in Telz was caught in the act of Mishkav Zachar in his dorm and later molested many bochrim.  Maybe the Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel Aaron Feldman should retract his apology

Like Habayit Hayehudi, ultra-Orthodox and Arab MKs declined to take part in the Haaretz survey. One Balad MK said recently the party might support such legislation in the future. United Arab List-Ta’al MKs did not respond to Haaretz’s queries.

In any case, voting on divisive topics is not always left to individual MKs’ preferences. Habayit Hayehudi and Yisrael Beiteinu are likely to ensure that their MKs vote in unison on the issue.