Israel to Block Online Poker Sites and More

A bill in Israel that proposes to automatically block online poker sites, online gambling sites, sex and violence-oriented Web sites unless a customer specifically asks their provider to be allowed to visit those sites, passed its first Knesset reading last week, taking a first step toward censorship.

The bill, called the 'Internet porn bill', was authored and presented by Israel's Knesset member Amnon Cohen (Orthodox Shas party). "It is the latest in a line of attempts by Shas to make use of its upgraded influence within the coalition since the departure of Israel Beiteinu", according to an article in the Jerusalem Post.

The bill is strongly supported by Communications Minister Ariel Attias (Shas) and spiritually endorsed by party mentor Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Although Knesset legal advisers have said that it is unlikely Cohen's bill could be defended in the High Court of Justice, due to Attias' refusal to provide a list of the "harmful" sites to be blocked, the coalition has thrown its support behind the bill.

"Instead of parents having to actively block their children from viewing hard-core pornography and violence, pornography enthusiasts will have to be active and make a single phone call," said Cohen, the bill's initiator.

It is unclear whether those requesting full access would be blacklisted.

Without such a request, the default is that thousands of Web sites will be blocked. A committee made up of members of the Education, Justice and Communications ministries would decide which sites to block.

CENSORSHIP PROTESTORS ARE OUTRAGED

Knesset Economic Committee chairman Gilan Erdan said the measure would "turn Israel into a kind of Iran."

"The law will transform us into a type of Iran by giving the minister the authority to decide that the Shas Council of Torah Sages will determine the sites to be rejected and blocked- without any supervision or monitoring of its considerations by the Knesset," Erdan (Likud) said.

"This is a black day for the Internet community in Israel," said Rimon Levy, president of the Israeli Internet Association. "The law will not protect even one child and will force a sheriff on citizens- the Communications Ministry."

The bill has to go back to the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee, then back to the plenum for final approval, a process that could take months.

Assuming the coalition stays together, the bill is expected to pass, according to the Jerusalem post.

If the bill is passed, internet providers would have 60 days to comply or face having to pay enormous fines.

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