Hametz Law passes first reading in Knesset overnight
The bill will allow hospital managers to decide on the Passover arrangements in each hospital, including wholly prohibiting hametz from entering the building.
The Hametz Law, a bill to restrict non-kosher food in hospitals during Passover, passed a first reading in the Knesset plenum early Monday morning.
51 members of the Knesset voted for the bill, while 46 voted against it, and the bill will now proceed to a second reading.
The bill, which was proposed by United Torah Judaism MKs Moshe Gafni, Ya'acov Asher and Yitzhak Pindrus, will allow hospital managers to decide on the Passover arrangements in each hospital, including wholly prohibiting Hametz or restricting it to certain wards.
The hospital would be required to consider the needs of both patients and employees when making these decisions and would be required to notify them with signs and online updates.
Responding to the bill passing the first reading, opposition leader Yair Lapid tweeted: "Like thieves in the night, the coalition voted for the Hametz law. This government is two months old, it has not passed anything that benefits the public, but the most urgent matter tonight: religious coercion."
Michael Starr contributed to this report.
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