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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected the vote on the so-called "Facebook bill"
which seeks to give the state of Israel the power to order online businesses to suppress content inciting violence and terrorism.
"For fear of harming the freedom of expression and to ensure the right of Israeli citizens to freely express their criticism online, the Prime Minister asked to stop the legislative process for the "Facebook Bill" and return it to its original version. "Prevent incitement to terrorism online," said Netanyahu's Likud party.
"The Prime Minister believes that the current version of the bill allows for a broad interpretation that may allow censorship of opinions and cause serious prejudice to freedom of expression in the state of the United States. Israel, "the statement added.
Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
The legislation was to be put to the vote at its second and third readings on Wednesday, the last day of the summer session of the Knesset. Members of the Knesset will now take a break until the end of the High Days in October. This means that the Facebook bill will be delayed for at least a few months.
According to the bill, which pbaded its first reading in the Knesset in January 2017, the Court of Administrative Affairs may, at the request of the state, order websites such as Facebook or Google's delete the incentive content.
Such an order may be issued under two conditions: where the content constitutes a criminal offense and where there is a real possibility that the content constitutes a real threat to an individual, to public security or to the security of the person. l & # 39; State.
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud), who sponsored the bill, reversed Netanyahu's decision to cancel Wednesday's vote. "I regret the decision to stop the vote: the incitement to violence and terrorism online has become in recent years one of the main factors that push terrorists to commit attacks.A link direct was established between the level of online incitement and terrorist attacks
"Just recently, I had to turn to Twitter and ask them to shut down the accounts of the leaders of the declared terrorist organizations who used Twitter to broadcast their messages," he said. As a state, we have neither the authority nor the ability to force Twitter to stop this incentive. "
Gilad Erdan, Minister of Public Security (Photo: Avi Mualem)
"The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee has deliberated for a year and a half on the legislation that I have sponsored with Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and created the Knesset. The necessary balance between the protection of liberty This balance was created by determining that only the Attorney General can appeal to the District Court and request an order to delete the incentive content, "Erdan explained.
The Minister of Public Safety added that high-level legal advisers from government and Knesset ministries participated in the legislative and drafting process to ensure this balance.
"This bill is vital for the security of the state and for our ability to protect our citizens, and I hope we will be able to complete its legislation early in the next session" , did he declare.
MK Revital Swid (Union Zionist), who sponsored the original Facebook bill, came out against the current version by Erdan and Shaked. "It is the duty of the state to protect the freedom of expression, the right to protest and the right to criticize, even the judicial system and the enforcement of the law", she declared.
"A strong democracy can defend itself against incitement to terrorism on the Internet while protecting the freedom of expression, protest and protest," she added.
"I call on the Prime Minister, the ministers and the Attorney General, to stop this dangerous move, it is not too late yet, accept the reservations that I have submitted and refer the bill in its proportions ".
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