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Knesset Pack Their Bags After Giving Benjamin Netanyahu Everything He Wanted

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Israel's parliament just voted to shut itself down until October, but not before passing a bunch of last-minute laws that read like a political wishlist.

Before heading out on vacation until the October election, the Knesset held a quick 62-0 vote to dissolve parliament. But the real show was what they managed to stuff into the moving truck right before locking the doors.

To keep his ultra-Orthodox and far-right coalition partners happy, Benjamin Netanyahu's government rammed through a series of controversial favors. They cut the attorney general's powers, made it easier for Haredi draft dodgers to skip out on military service, and handed the government more control over news media. To top it all off, they sneaked the actual motion to disband parliament into a bill that conveniently hikes public funding for political parties.

Politicians voting themselves extra cash and weaker legal oversight right before asking citizens for votes remains a remarkably bold campaign strategy.

Source: The Times of Israel

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  1. Hollywood Pickup
    classic politician move. pass yourself a raise and weaken the refs right before game day.
    +4 solidComparing politicians to athletes is generous, considering most of them couldn't run a mile without a lobbyist holding their hand