Outrageous legislation causes uproar in Israel

Ami Kaufman By Ami Kaufman November 30, 2010 | Edit
Outrageous legislation causes uproar in Israel
Photo: Flickr / the doctr

The Knesset yesterday passed a bill through its first stage of legislation [Heb], and if eventually approved will impose a fine of 10 shekels on patients who fail to show up to appointments they made with their doctor.

But +972 magazine has gained access to other clauses of the bill, which the mainstream media seems to have glanced over but are sure to cause an uproar, particularly within the already struggling middle class:

1. 20 shekels fine for not attending a Facebook event you said you would. If “maybe” was pressed, it’s only 5 shekels.

2. If you’re asked to RSVP to a wedding, but the couple has to call you because you were too lazy to answer, it’s a 35 shekel fine.

3. If you say you’re coming to the wedding and you don’t – it’s a 500 shekel fine.

4. Skipping class or calling in sick for work when you’re fine is a 50 shekel fine (only if caught red-handed, of course)

5. 25 shekel fine for putting a garbage can in an empty parking spot in Tel Aviv just so it’ll be free when you come home from work.

6. And finally, a 1,000 shekel fine for all those shmucks who go into the doctor’s office before you while saying “Ani rak she’ela” (I only have to ask him something) and then the answer for some reason lasts for 40 minutes.

Ami Kaufman

Ami Kaufman was chief night editor for Haaretz, for the prominent Israeli financial daily Calcalist, and correspondent on Israeli affairs for 93.6 RAM FM, a joint Palestinian-Israel radio station. His interest in food and cooking led to culinary studies at the "Israeli CIA" (Tadmor, Herzliya) and a brief stint in the restaurant business. Born in Tel Aviv, Ami lives in Bat Yam with his wife and two daughters. In his spare time he blogs at Half & Half.

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