Cabinet Communique
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Advisor)

At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday, 7 February 2016):

1. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks:

"We are marking a year since the passing of our friend the late Uri Orbach.
Uri was a wonderful minister who worked to bring Jewish culture and Jewish
heritage to all Israelis, and initiated innovative programs for veteran and
adult citizens. In all of these he took a proudly national approach, but on
the other hand, he was open to all parts of Israeli society. I can say that
every time he spoke at a Cabinet meeting, he did so at the end of the
discussions and everyone listened. I think that he always had a combination
of wit, understanding and a love of Israel. We all grieve over his passing
and we all send our condolences to his family. We loved him very much.

We are in a harsh struggle between those who – like us – seek coexistence
and peace, and those who seek war and bloodshed. Over the weekend, a
synagogue named after the three youths who were kidnapped and murdered by
terrorists was set alight. We will do our utmost to find the arsonists and
bring them to justice. But I expect from everyone in the country and around
the world who rightly condemn every desecration of a mosque or writing of
graffiti on mosques, including the burning of mosques, I expect them to come
out with the same cry against, and condemnation of, this abhorrent act.

The second act that we have seen in recent days was three Balad MKs going to
comfort the families of murderers, people who murdered Israeli citizens. I
believe that most citizens of Israel feel that these MKs do not represent
them. We are making great efforts and great investments in order to
integrate Arab citizens in Israeli society and they are doing the complete
opposite. They are building walls of hatred. I try to imagine what would
happen in the British Parliament or the US Congress if MPs or members of
Congress would stand at silent attention for murderers of British or
American citizens. I think that there would be a very major outcry and
rightly so.

I spoke with the Attorney General and asked him to consider taking legal
action against these MKs. I would like to examine new and reinforced
legislative changes to ensure that anyone who acts in this direction – will
not serve in the Israeli Knesset. I think this is an important statement as
to what kind of society we want. At the same time, I will today, together
with Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, submit a complaint to the Knesset
Ethics Committee. I expect all members of the opposition who are also
rightly clamoring for justice in this matter to support these proposals.

Today, the Cabinet will vote on the Public Security Minister's proposal
regarding stricter punishment for those employing and sheltering people who
are present in Israel illegally. It needs to be understood that many of the
terrorist attacks that have occurred within the State of Israel have been
perpetrated by people who are present in Israel illegally; therefore, we
must make whoever employs them, whoever shelters them, whoever transports
them - bear the consequences. This is another important step against the
phenomenon of people who are present in Israel illegally. Additional
measures will also be taken."

2. Pursuant to Article 21 of the 1959 State Service Law (Appointments) and
article 41A of the 1988 Restrictive Trade Practices Law, and in accordance
with the recommendation of the Economy and Industry Minister, the Cabinet
appointed Michal Halperin as Director General of the Israel Antitrust
Authority.

3. The Cabinet discussed, and approved measures regarding, subsiding
industrial zone development costs.

4. The Cabinet decided that the Finance Ministry Accountant General shall
serve a five-year term, beginning on 1 April and ending on 31 January.

The foregoing shall apply to the current Accountant General, whose term will
end on 31 January 2017.

5. The Cabinet approved draft amendments to the 2016 Entry into Israel Law.

Against the background of the current security situation, which includes
riots, the throwing of explosive devices, stabbings and other terrorist
attacks, with a variety of weapons, and due to the involvement of people who
are present in Israel illegally, it has been proposed that the 1952 Entry
into Israel Law be amended in order to deal with the phenomenon of the
illegal entry into the State of Israel.

The draft amendments propose that punishments for those who systematically
employ, lodge and assist workers who are present in Israel illegally, be
increased.

6. Acting National Security Adviser and National Security Council Chairman
Yaakov Nagal submitted the national [security] situation for 2016.