Livni: Israel heading towards dictatorship

[Violet_Crumble]

Opposition chairwoman blasts Coalition over libel bill, legislation meant to 'stifle democracy.' MK Mofaz: Bills reminiscent of '1984'

Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni (Kadima) warned Wednesday that the recent string of Coalition-led legislation will turn Israel from a democracy to a dictatorship.

The Knesset plenum held a heated debate over several legislative bills, including the recent "silencing amendment" to Israel's Defamation Law, and a bill calling for the House to have veto power over the decisions of the Judges Nominations Commission.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced the plenum in defense of the libel bill, and argued that "an amendment us necessary, but in good measure… Israel will never have a 'thought police,'" he assured Knesset members.

"We've always prided ourselves on being the only democracy in the Middle East," Livni said, referring to the uprising in Egypt. "We were a democracy and they were A dictatorship. Now, they are trying to become a democracy, while we – with these bills – are heading towards dictatorship.

"We, the Israeli-Zionist majority, will not choose between a Jewish state and a democracy and this fight is at our door."

She then slammed the prime minister: "What was it you said once? 'They're all afraid?' You've taken over the Israel Broadcast Authority. I hear the Educational Channel and Army Radio are next for you.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4152459,00.html

[aranthus]

1. Every society has to face down its demons, and Israel is no exception.

Tampering with free speech is usually the leading edge of a biggter move.

[MisterP]

2. yeah, next thing you'll know, the PM will kill over a thousand in order to get reelected

oh, wait...