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Several bodies deal with human rights in the Knesset. The official "State of Emergency" which has existed in Israel continuously since the establishment of the State, and different basic perceptions regarding human rights between the religious and secular, and between the Ashkenazi and Sephardi sections of the population, have resulted in the issue being dealt with piecemeal in the State in general, and in the Knesset in particular.
Several standing Committees deal with human rights issues. The main function of standing committees is to prepare bills for first, second and third reading. They also deal with issues raised in the plenum in motions for the agenda, and the Chairman of the Committee can decide to hold a general deliberation on a certain topic. Sometimes such deliberations end with specific recommendations or resolutions. Of course, these Committees have the right to call upon people from the executive branch to appear before them, in addition to inviting officials, experts and other persons concerned. The Chairpersons have a good deal of autonomy regarding how they run the meetings.
" Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, a standing Committee, deals with alleged human rights violations by the Israel Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It was established in 1949. Its current chairman is MK. Dr. Yuval Steinitz, its director is Mr. Baruch Friedner.
" The Interior Committee deals with human rights issues connected with the population inside Israel proper. It is a standing committee, established in 1949. Its current chairman is MK. Yuri Stern, its director is Ms. Yaffa Shapira.
" The Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, a standing Committee, established in 1949, is responsible for the elaboration of Basic Human Rights Law, to be adopted in addition to the two existing Basic Human Rights Laws, namely the Basic Law: Freedom of Occupation, and Basic Law: Human Dignity and Freedom. Its current chairman is MK. Michael Eitan, its director is Ms. Dorit Vag.
There are two committees on specific issues, that are not statutory committees but have legislative powers and function in a similar matters as the standing committees, which deal with human rights issues:
" The Special Committee on the Status of Children. It was established on July 28, 1999. Its chairman is MK Rabbi Michael Melchior, its director is Ms. Rachel Sa'ada.
" The Special Committee on the Problem of Foreign Workers. It was established on February 4, 1998. Its chairman is MK Ran Cohen`, its director is Ms. Edna Thores.
Parliamentary committees of inquiry also frequently deal with human rights issues. Such committees are appointed for the duration of a specific Knesset, and they must submit their reports before the end of the term of the Knesset that appointed them, unless otherwise decided. At the moment (September 2003) there is one Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry dealing with human rights issues:
" The Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry on the Trafficking in Women, established on 13 June 2000 Parliamentary Committees of Inquiry, such as the Committee on the Trafficking in Women, are appointed by the Knesset to investigate some burning issue that the Knesset would like to examine in depth. Usually the Knesset Member who first raised the proposal to appoint such a committee is appointed as its chairman. According to the Knesset Rules of Procedure, a committee of inquiry can include up to nine members, representing different parliamentary groups. The Knesset plenary approves the Committee's terms of reference. The Committee invites witnesses, collects written material, orders background papers and studies (usually through the Knesset Research and Information Center), and can undertake study excursions. It then prepares a report with an analysis of the situation and recommendations that are presented to the Knesset. The Committee's recommendations are not binding, but they generate much interest. Its chairman is MK Zahava Gal`on, its director is Ms. Sigalit Edri.
" The Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry on Social Gaps in Israel, was established on July 25, 2001. Its chairman was MK Ran Cohen. The Committee submitted its report on December 15, 2002 (the translation of the report into English can be found on the Knesset website: http://www.knesset.gov.il/mmm/eng/papers_eng.asp.
Most of the Committees (the main exception being the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee) use the services of the Research and Information Center. Membership in these committees is on a parliamentary group basis
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