Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., February 27, 2008 Adar1 21, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:20 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 13:53 27/02/2008 Internet censorship bill passes first reading in Knesset plenum By Zvi Zrahiya, Haaretz Correspondent The Knesset plenum on Wednesday passed in its first reading a bill that will censor internet sites in Israel, blocking sites that show pornography, violence, and gambling. According to the bill, presented by MK Amnon Cohen of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, any customer who does not explicitly ask to be allowed visit said sites will be automatically blocked from accessing them. The bill was passed by a vote of 46 to 20, after a concerted effort was made to enlist coalition MKs to take part in the vote. In order to become law, the bill will have to pass a second and third reading. Advertisement The vote is seen as an attempt to placate Shas, which in recent weeks has threatened to leave the coalition. The Finance Committee legal advisor said that the bill would have trouble withstanding Supreme Court scrutiny, in that Communication Minister Ariel Atias (Shas) has refused to present a list of websites to be banned. Last week, Shas MK Shlomo Benizri blamed gays for the earthquakes that have shaken the region in recent months, telling a Knesset plenum debate on local authorities' earthquake preparedness that government action on homosexuality would do much to prevent the tremors. Benizri said the government should not make do with reinforcing buildings, but should instead pass less legislation that encourages homosexuality and other "perversions like adoptions by lesbian couples." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Chicken or the egg? A UN human rights expert says Palestinian terror 'inevitable' result of occupation. A reason to kvell Jews are America's top-earning religious group, according to a new survey.   1.   Shas fits perfectly into the government 14:05  |  Whatever 27/02/08   2.   MK Shlomo Benizri To earth come in please 14:07  |  sj 27/02/08

Today Online Shmuel Rosner: A promise no American liberal Jew can ignore Responses: 16 Poll: Most Israelis back direct talks with Hamas on Shalit Responses: 44 Japanese PM to Haaretz: Response to Iran must be resolute Responses: 33 Jewish groups mull UN racism meet after Israel decides to skip Responses: 64 Amira Hass: For Palestinians, an unarmed struggle would be suicide Responses: 25 Rosner's Domain Can Obama restore the Black-Jewish alliance? Jews mostly stay Jewish (WTR) Would Obama be supportive of an Israel governed by Likud? Poll: Is it time for Israel to end the blockade in Gaza? Obama`s top adviser says does not believe in imposing a peace settlement More Headlines 14:12 At least 6 Palestinians killed in IDF strikes in West Bank, Gaza 14:17 Internet censorship bill passes first reading in Knesset plenum 12:37 Obama: I'm a 'stalwart friend' of Israel, its security is 'sacrosanct' 11:21 Japanese PM to Haaretz: World response to Iran nukes must be resolute 14:12 Tel Aviv bus company cuts Saturday afternoon services 13:50 Police chief: If necessary, I'd okay Peki'in operation again 11:18 Abbas: Hamas helping Al-Qaida establish base in Gaza Strip 07:29 Poll: Most Israelis back direct talks with Hamas on Shalit 14:14 Where the wheel stops, nobody knows 12:52 Omri Sharon begins 7-month prison term for fraud 13:37 MKs plan to cancel Katsav's benefits despite indictment Previous Editions Select Day 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb

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