MK Yakov Mergi, Knesset whip for the Sephardic hareidi Shas party, sponsored, joined or supported more laws promoting Zionist values than any other member of the 17th Knesset, a research institute determined. A report issued by the Institute for Zionist Strategies (IZS) determined that only 16 out of the 223 private bills proposed in the 17th Knesset promoted Zionist values (private bills are ones initiated by individual MKs and not by the government). Two of these were initiated by Mergi and he joined or supported eight others.
The IZS defines as “Zionist” laws which promote the classic values of the Zionist movement, such as settlement and Aliyah absorption, as well as bills reflecting the values of the Scroll of Independence.
Mergi initiated the Yad Labanim law, which regulates the operation of memorial centers for the IDF's fallen soldiers, and a law giving the Ethiopian Jews' Sigd holiday official status. He is also cited for being one of only two hareidi Knesset Members who took part in the renewed signing of the Scroll of Independence – a project initiated by IZS for Israel's 60th anniversary. The only other hareidi MK to sign was MK David Azoulai, also of Shas.
Other laws cited as Zionist by the report include the Reservists' Law, the Pre-Military Academies Law, the law creating a combined religious – nonreligious educational stream, a law granting benefits to needy Holocaust survivors, the National Library law, the law creating the Official Committee for Shemitta and the law establishing a Center for the Legacy of Gush Katif.
The silver medal for 2008-2009 is shared by three contestants: Rabbi MK Michael Melchior (Meimad/Green), MK Otniel Shneller (Kadima) and MK Moshe Cachlon (Likud). Melchior was tapped for sponsoring the law, which strengthens the combined (religious and nonreligious) publicly-funded school educational system. Shneller received credit for the law on transplants which will make it possible for religious and hareidi people to donate their body parts.