mind reeling

i was going to post a quick summary of the day, but my mind was still reeling from hobo with a shotgun when this popped up in my feed:

a law to freeze all protests [original hebrew]
from google translate - not great but the general gist:
The Knesset is promoting an amendment to the Defamation Act, which will be given huge fines.
To rejoice in their calamity of journalists.
Forget Facebook groups against Tnuva and the talkbacks seize giant claims; the Unholy Trinity of Israel Beiteinu - Likud - Kadima has issued several bills and amendments known dark state laws which deeply offended the basic rights of citizens - Republicans, Democrats, Jews and Arabs, men and women.One of the major battles of this trinity is the struggle for freedom of expression.In "Boycott Law", passed last July, the goal was to intercept criticism of the settlements (in the guise of condemning anti-israel activism). Now - with the approval (in the meantime a first reading) of the proposed amendment to the Defamation Act, whereby the amount of damages without proof of damage will rise astronomically - can anyone money in his pocket, to threaten libel suits imaginary amounts. These demands would be used to silence criticism or revenge visitors. Awkward and forced apology on Channel 10 a few weeks ago is nothing compared to what awaits us if this bill will pass in the Knesset. Amendment from the Ministry of Israel Beiteinu - Likud - Kadima is "boycott law" is intended to protect the wealthy. Approval the next day, every call for a boycott of a giant corporation or criticism voiced in this style of social protest last summer against the company or against its directors (for example, the audit led to the resignation of Goldilocks Cohen) would endanger the threat makes a huge lawsuit by attorneys for the corporation. This amendment will reduce the drain all the impressive achievements of the social protest movement. That's what makes the Israeli government: one hand confirms the Trachtenberg report and pretend she is attentive to the people, and in the other to lock us all and makes the continuation of the protest real danger to our future economy. It is customary to denigrate the "media" and hang it all the ills of society. Likely this bill, to limit the media, you will encounter the indifference of the public and perhaps even with the enthusiastic support from many parts of the public. But it is important to note that no law "against communication", but it applies to all citizens: media and private citizens alike. Therefore, it is doubtful whether the day after the law is approved, a person can start a Facebook group calling for boycott of cheese due to the excessive cost, as soon as you open the group will be sent to him a threatening letter from the manufacturer's attorney in which he threatens libel damages under the new amendment. This amendment will have astronomical sums with no damage at all to prove the plaintiff. All demonstration against price increases or in favor of equality, all Facebook status or Twitter tweet endanger the economic future of the writer, and perhaps also of who they click "Like". If that's not the Israeli public mockery out of the social protest of summer - I do not know what is. I recommend reading the excellent article by Dr. Tamar Gidron, "libel tourism map of the world and Defamation Law in Israel", from the latest issue of the journal "trial" in which she points to what happened to the press and freedom of speech in Britain following the enactment of libel preferred tycoons, and how the trend in the world today Israeli opposite: to fight false libel cases filed just to intimidate and suppress public criticism, not encourage them. Please note that if the law passes, it may herald the end of the Israeli Internet talkbacks era. The law encourages submission of false claims in an effort to light will generate astronomical income, will for the talkbacks become a luxury media they cannot afford. Exposure talkbacker To be able to sue him directly (this is rare but has happened) will talkbacker himself millions. In short, it's not a question of right or left, but of social justice, fairness, and integrity.

oh, crap. it would have been nice to have been wrong. maybe it's time to leave.