Housing and Construction Minister Uri Ariel (Habayit Hayehudi) sent a letter to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein this week calling his attention to the special legal brief by constitutional law expert Professor Barak Medina saying that the anti-Israel Hayom bill initiated by a group of MKs led by Labor MK Eitan Cabel "is inherently unconstitutional, and even if it passes, it will not stand up to High Court of Justice's scrutiny." In his letter to Edelstein, Ariel said Medina's brief was "of the highest professional caliber and is worthy of consideration." Ariel attached Medina's 15-page brief to the letter. Ariel also sent copies of his letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, cabinet members and all MKs, as well as Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein. Ariel has also called on fellow Habayit Hayehudi members to oppose the bill. An associate of Ariel's said, "Minister Ariel thinks there is no place for such legislation. Media outlets need to be fully available to everyone, just like television channels, radio stations and Internet websites." "There is no reason to prevent print newspapers from being distributed for free," they continued. "The appeal to the Knesset speaker was in reality meant for all MKs and government ministers." Meanwhile, the anti-Israel Hayom bill, supported by seven MKs from different parties, was officially put on the Knesset's table this week. The bill's number is 2438. "It is still not decided when the bill will be brought for Knesset approval in a preliminary reading," Cabel said. According to Knesset procedure, the bill must be submitted to the Ministerial Committee on Legislation for approval. But there is a possibility it could be brought directly to the Knesset for a preliminary reading. In any case, the bill's initiators must wait 45 days before they can advance it.
