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Israel

Bibi softens stance on 'anti-democratic' laws

November 24, 2011 12:51
24112011 knesset

By

Anshel Pfeffer,

Anshel Pfeffer

1 min read

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to "soften" the controversial laws passed in the Knesset over the past couple of weeks.

Mr Netanyahu is trying to convince the public that, contrary to the accusations of the opposition - and even some of the members of his own party - he is not pushing an "anti-democratic" agenda.

He is arguing that the laws limiting funding for left-wing NGOs, bumping up the libel penalties and giving the right-wing a majority in the committee that appoints judges, will amount to mere cosmetic changes when they reach their final reading in the Knesset.

The law forbidding NGOs from receiving funding from foreign governments was approved last week by the Knesset.

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