PM expects ‘Jewish State’ bill to pass first Knesset hurdle this month

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu predicts a first reading of the contested Jewish nation-state bill will be approved before the Knesset goes on break at the end of the month, downgrading earlier estimates that it would be passed into law by July 30.

He also announces that Russia and Israel will sign a final deal granting pensions to Russian immigrants tomorrow at the Foreign Ministry, resolving a years-old economic crisis for thousands of elderly Israelis.

“This will give a pension to thousands of Israelis who worked in Russia in the past,” he says, noting that he discussed the issue personally with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At the start of the weekly Likud faction meeting, Netanyahu outlines his recent and future meetings with world leaders, including the Indian prime minister last week in Israel, the Rwandan president who is visiting Israel this week, and planned visits this month to Paris and Budapest — where he will also meet with Hungarian, Polish, Slovakian and Czech leaders.

“Israel is breaking many barriers,” he says.

Netanyahu says world leaders express “admiration” for Israel, specifically for is technology, cybertechnology, high-tech sector, and counterterrorism intelligence.

— Marissa Newman