MK Orlev
MK OrlevIsrael news photo: Flash 90

MK Zevulun Orlev (Jewish Home) and MK David Rotem (Yisrael Beiteinu) were the two Members of Knesset who most excelled in Zionist lawmaking in the past year, according to the Institute for Zionist Strategies.

The Institute counted laws and amendments to laws that passed every stage of the legislative process, which may have given an advantage to MKs in the coalition.

Seventeen laws and amendments were chosen as those that did the most to strengthen Zionism in the past year. Last year, only 10 laws were chosen as embodying Zionist principles.

MK Orlev was chosen as excellent last year as well. This year, he was selected for having helped to create the Knesset Museum law, which will restore the site of Israel's first Knesset to the hands of the state and make it a historic site, the Zalman Shazar Center law, and the Law for Support for Field Schools.

MK Rotem was among the creators of a law requiring political organizations, not only non-profits to report donations from foreign political entities. He also helped to create laws regarding absorption centers for new immigrants, and to amend the citizenship law.

The following MKs earned praise as well: Yisrael Hasson, Shai Hermesh, Otniel Schneller, Zeev Elkin, Chaim Katz, Alex Miller, Robert Ilatov, Shelli Yechimovich, and Uri Orbach.

Orlev said, “Zionist legislation is testimony to the fact that even though we have celebrated 63 years of independence, there is still a need for Zionist legislation that will guarantee Israel's character as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state.”

The Institute of Zionist Strategy, in its own words, “is an organization created to ensure the continuation of the State of Israel as both a Jewish and a viable democratic State, now and into the future” which aims to “present creative, implementable programs to the Israeli public and its policy makers.”