Knesset Interior Committee Chairman MK (Likud) David Amsellem a number of days ago requested from his committee to approve extending the extension from arnona property tax for organizations that do not operate in line with the law. This refers to ‘malkarim’ (non-profit organizations) operating in the spheres of education, welfare and health, entitling them to the two-third reduction in the tax.
Interestingly, the motion by Amsellem states clearly that those organizations “which operate illegally” will be entitled to the exemption and the Minister of the Interior cannot interfere to prevent this. Justice Ministry officials are adamantly opposed to this but the objections did not prevent it from passing in the committee.
Local government sources are quoted telling ‘The Marker’ “We have lost the whip to compel illegal chareidi organizations to begin operating legally. Just as one must have a building license to get connected to the electric grid, here too, regarding reductions in arnona, must be contingent on operating legally. Some of these mini institutions in the chareidi education are in illegal buildings, at times dangerous one, and they must adhere to the law. Now, we have no incentive to wave in front of them for they will enjoy the discount nonetheless”.
Interestingly, Kikar Shabbos News reports one of the possibilities compelling Amsellem is a secret deal with Neturei Karta as the latter has many ‘illegal’ institutions due in part to its refusal to recognize the State of Israel. The report adds Amsellem does not deny this possibility, admitting earlier this week the amended text of the law is intended to give the exemption to chareidi institutions that operate illegally, primarily those of Neturei Karta.
Amsellem is quoted saying “The state is acting criminally for these chessed institutions are educating children. The state should be funding them but since they do not recognize the state, and state oversight over schools, they cannot get state funding or an exemption on the arnona tax. Why? Why should the children in these schools be harmed? The state has given exemptions in arnona to Neturei Karta and other chassidus’ that refuse state funding but stopped the practice over recent years so I am only returning the situation to what it was”.
When asked why he would legislate legislation that permits an institution to operate illegally, Amsellem explained “Why, because I decide why. Chareidim pay income tax and they are entitled to state services. The situation today is such that arnona tax is levied, even in cases of building code violations. Tax Authorities levy taxes from thieves too. They simply reject state oversight and the state is acting criminally towards them. If they are not shutdown, then there is no need to compel them to pay arnona while others do not. Why should these children be punished? Are we trying to starve them?
He was then asked about the decision to extend the exemption for students from 18 to 25-years-old, Amsellem explains “this is to benefit students in technical colleges specifically but if yeshivos benefit too, why not? Regular universities receive the reduction today and there is no reason not to extend it to technical colleges and yeshivos”.
It is noted the last section pertaining to extending the exemption to 25-year-olds still requires Knesset approval.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
I assume that “extending the extension” in the first paragraph should read “extending the exemption”, in other words, there’s nothing new here. He’s just continuing the status quo. Boruch Hashem that someone is helping limud hatorah without consideration of the politics of the institution. The local authorities have other ways to enforce building violations.
Should YWN be quoting secular newspapers like The Marker, with all their anti-religious prejudices?
If they were to prosecute an anti-zionist organization over a tax matter, the government would probably lose since the anti-zionist non-profit would be exempt if they filed for an exemption. It could be a public relations fiasco for the goverment to prosecute them since to the world it would like not like a “tax evasion” matter (since they really don’t owe taxes) but as political and religious persecution of a group whose “sin” is that they oppose the Arab-Israeli conflict. Amsellem is acting vary rationally.
These people are parasites; they spend their day schnorring to buy apartments for themselves and their children while getting monies from people like Satmar for opposing living a normal life.
Come to any shul in Jerusalem and see them come in cabs or private cars to schnor. They won’t take a bus since that means they might see a woman!
When are these Terrorists going to join ISIS?!