The Knesset has passed two drafted bills through their first reading that are aimed at applying sanctions against parents who refuse to vaccinate their children. The drafted bills allow for children who are not vaccinated to be sent home from schools. The drafted laws also apply to teachers who are not vaccinated.

The bill was co-sponsored by MKs Yoel Hasson from the Zionist Union party and Shuli Mulem Refaeli from Bayit Yehudi. According to the bill, any parent who refuses to vaccinate their child will lose a tax point up to and including a 2,000 NIS exemption.

A second bill, sponsored by MK Meirav Ben Ari from the Kulau party, states that in a time of crisis or epidemic, the Director of the Health Ministry can prevent the entrance of students or teachers who are vaccinated from entering schools, kindergartens, daycares, and institutions of higher education.

According to the proposed bill, the Health Ministry will have to keep track of all unvaccinated children and warn their parents in writing about the dangers of not vaccinating children. Should the letter not prove effective, then the parents will be invited to an educational meeting in which they will be informed of all of the negative impacts non-vaccinated children cause on their own families and society, as well as the danger they themselves undergo. Should the parents still not wish to vaccinate their children, they will be made to sign a form of refusal. In such cases, the parents will be facing negative tax sanctions of up to 2,000 NIS.

If parents are not able to vaccinate their children due to proven medical reasons, then they will be exempt from these laws.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)