Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., March 26, 2008 Adar2 20, 5768 | | Israel Time: 16:08 (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 - 16:06 26/03/2008 Peretz bill granting soldiers minimum wage passes preliminary reading By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, Ehud Barak, Knesset  The Knesset approved in its first reading on Wednesday a law which mandates conscripted soldiers receive a monthly salary equaling that of the minimum wage. The bill, which was proposed by former defense minister and current Labor Party MK Amir Peretz, was supported by 41 MKs to 38 against. Peretz was able to win passage by taking advantage of the absence of colleagues from his own party and from the ruling coalition. The move was also a victory of sorts for Peretz in his feud with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who stringently opposes the proposed law. Soon afterwards, the coalition managed to remove two proposed laws, both of them identical in nature, from the day's agenda. The bills were authored by Meretz MK Haim Oron and Yisrael Beiteinu MK Sofa Landver. Advertisement Peretz's bill will be brought before the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. In the later stages of legislation, the bill would need the support of at least 50 MKs due to the fact that it deals with budgetary matters, thus making its final passage unlikely. Finance Minister Roni Bar-On said Peretz's initiative is "a flawed proposal." "The horrible costs will be borne by the defense establishment," Bar-On said. The minister also rejected Peretz's request to negotiate with the government on a gradual increase in soldiers' salaries. Related articles: Peretz wants Ayalon to join him in Labor Party challenge to Barak Peretz: Defense Min. Barak's policy of silence is hurting Labor An army run like a jungle Bookmark to del.icio.us   Love story Israel permits gay Palestinian to join his lover in Tel Aviv. Interfaith get-together Saudi King plans first interfaith conference to include Jews.

Today Online Blair: Middle East peace process a 'race against time' Responses: 96 Mubarak: Gaza tension brings Iran threat closer Responses: 38 PA fails in fight against terror, U.S. officials determine Responses: 40 Safed chief rabbi calls on state to exact 'revenge' against Arabs Responses: 64 Top Fatah official: Housing Min. inviting Palestinians to start a fresh Intifada Responses: 24 Zvi Bar'el: Keeping Iran from 'members-only' Arab club Responses: 21 Rosner's Domain Obama advisor blasts 'NY, Miami' for failed peace process Poll: what percentage Jews will vote McCain? Kurtzer: The pro-Israel lobby, not obstacle for peace How many voters will abandon the Democratic Party? (WTR) Slight preference for Clinton among Jewish Democrats More Headlines 14:39 Livni: IDF operations in Gaza help move peace talks forward 14:46 Israeli lightly hurt by Palestinian gunfire on Negev kibbutz 15:55 Safed chief rabbi calls on state to exact 'revenge' against Arabs 11:50 Officials: Israel to supply PA forces with security equipment 13:49 Fatah demands Hamas cede Gaza before reconciliation talks 12:08 U.S. road map monitors: PA failing in fight against terror 13:22 B'nai Brith awards journalism prizes to Haaretz.com's Rosner, education writer Kashti 12:30 Finance Ministry devising plan to lure billionaire Jews to Israel 13:07 Iraqi PM gives Basra gunmen three-day ultimatum to surrender 07:11 Mubarak: Gaza tension brings Iran threat closer 12:29 Haifa U. students slam decision to hold tests during Holocaust Day siren 03:30 ANALYSIS: Keeping Iran away from 'members-only' Arab club 16:00 Knesset passes bill that rapists will serve at least 9 years in prison 09:26 Traditional Hebrew calligraphy swirls into cutting-edge font Previous Editions Select Day 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar

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