Join the new world

Forgive my recent and recurring absence, but RL is taking its licks at ol' Hyman Roth as of late. That being said, I've stayed as plugged in a possible, watching the curious developments in my beloved eIsrael. The recent "discussions" of Israel political power balance was of particular interest.

A few months ago, I shared with a few of my fellow trusted citizens and the UZSP a draft of what I felt was a dynamic and thorough Constitution. I've kept it in my back pocket since then, but it seems an appropriate time to offer it up for public consumption, debate, and perhaps - approval.

There are certain sections that remain incomplete - IDF in particular, as I don't pretend to have the necessary military insight - but for the most part, the foundation is there. So here it is, presented in earnest. Take it. Leave it. Change it. Poop all over it. Perhaps it will help. All I ask, if you do choose to move forward on the profound blueprint I've set forth, is that I am heretofore referred to as Hyman Roth - The Father of eIsraeli Democracy.

In all seriousness, if you guys need help building off of what's here or anything else, let me know and I'll do what I can. eIsrael is close. These growing pains are natural. Use me if you need me.

Signed,
Hyman Roth
Former Many Things
Furture Father of eIsraeli Democracy

Constitution of Israel

Preamble

We, the Knesset of the sovereign State of Israel, in order to establish the rule of national law, insure domestic stability, provide for the defense and wellbeing of our citizenry, and to secure liberty and the promise of prosperity for this and future generations of our great nation, do hereby decree this Constitution of Israel.

This Constitution shall be held sacred as the ultimate legal contract of our nation, with no citizen, regardless of power, wealth, standing, or experience, exempt. The Knesset of Israel, by the power vested in us by the Citizens of our great nation, do hereby pledge that this Constitution is empowered to protect all Israelis rights, privileges, and security as described herein.

Article 1: Israeli Governmental Charter
Section 1: Government Structure and Powers
I. Executive Branch
A. President
B. Cabinet Ministers
II. Legislative Branch
A. Speaker of the Knesset
B. Knesset Members
III. Judicial Branch
A. Attorney General
B. Israeli Supreme Court
Section 2: Schedule of Governmental Action
Section 3: The Peaceful Transition of Power
Article 2: Rules of the Knesset of Israel
Article 3: Rules and Structure of the Israeli Defense Force
Article 4: Established Economic Protection Contracts
Article 5: Rights of the Citizenry

ARTICLE 1: ISRAELI GOVERNMENTAL CHARTER

The State of Israel is, and will forever be, a Constitutional Democracy. The duly elected government of Israel, with power bestowed upon them by the citizens of the nation, exists to protect the State and Citizens of Israel, and to ensure the inalienable rights of her citizens under eRepublik law and the provisions of the Constitution of Israel.

SECTION 1: 
GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND POWERS
The government of Israeli will consist of three distinct branches – the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch:

I. Executive Branch
The Executive Branch of the Israeli government shall consist of the President and Appointed Ministry Heads.

A. President

The office of President shall be recognized as the legal Head of State within Israel and all its subsidiary holdings. Any residual powers not mentioned within this document are to be deemed under the jurisdiction of the President, and/or any Cabinet Minister dedicated to handling said powers that the President may appoint. The President of Israel is to be elected per the current system in place within eRepublik, and shall take his or her mandate directly from the people.

The President of Israel is responsible for submitting the Israeli National Budget on the 7th of each month. The budget must be signed by the Minister of Finance and Minister of Industry, and submitted for approval by the Knesset on the 7th of each month (unless granted an extension, on a day by day basis, by the Speaker of the House for due cause) and the vote will conclude and budget enacted at midnight Erepublik time on the 9th of each month. The approval of the Israeli national Budget is approved through the support of 50% + 1 of the voting Knesset as dictated in Article 2.

The President of Israel retains the following powers:
• The power to appoint or remove Israeli Citizens to Cabinet Ministries during his duly elected term in office. The President shall, either prior to or upon taking office, name his cabinet by posting an article in the media.
• The President is the Commander in Chief of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). All military officers and soldiers are subordinate to the President.
• The power to enact policy decisions by means of Executive Orders, subject to Knesset Approval as dictated under Article 2: The Rules of the Israeli Knesset, so long as they do not violate Article 5: The Rights of the Citizenry.
• The power to veto legislation passed by the Knesset forum once the said legislation has officially passed as established under Article 2. If this occurs, a Presidential veto can be overridden by a supermajority 3/4th support of the voting Knesset.
• The power to declare war upon other nations, subject to Knesset approval.
• The power to sign Peace or Trade Agreements, Mutual Protection Pacts, Non-Aggression pact and any other contracts between Governments, subject to Knesset approval.
• The power to draft and propose the distribution of Government funds to Cabinet Ministries through a formal Israeli National Budget to be submitted for the approval of the Knesset.
• The power to propose Constitutional Amendments, subject to the approval of 90% of the voting Knesset and Supreme Court Approval.
• The power to access and control any Governmental assets including but not limited to Official Bank of Israel, Government owned, established, or managed Companies and Organizations, and off-site forums (terms of control dictated under Article 4: Established Economic Protection Contracts).

B: Cabinet Ministers

The Government of Israel must be made up of an Executive Branch of supporting ministers to form, enact, and articulate government policies based upon the approval or order of the President. Any Government of Israel must contain the following ministers:
• Vice President – The Vice President is charged with leading the government with all the powers of the President in the event of the death, impeachment or inactivity of the current President (Inactivity being defined as having not shown any signs of in game activity, personal contact, or off-site activity for the period of 5 days without giving advance warning.) (Death being defined as the in-game fainting) The Vice-President will have supervisory access to all Governmental Companies and Organizations.
• Minister of Defense (MoD) – The Minister of Defense is charged with the organization and administration of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and all of its subsidiary acquisitions and assets including but not limited to IDF established, managed, or controlled Companies and Organizations.
• Minister of Finance (MoF) – The Minister of Finance is charged with drafting and recommending national taxation and economic policy, the administration of all Governmental monetary assets and monetary market values, and management of Official Bank of Israel (terms of control dictated under Established Economic Protection Contracts addendum). The Ministry of Finance will advise the President on the creation of, and sign, the Israeli National Budget to be approved by the Knesset of Israel.
• Minister of Industry (MoID) – The Minister of Industry is charged with the administration and management of all Governmental owned, run, managed, or acquired Companies (terms of control dictated under Established Economic Protection Contracts addendum). The Ministry of Industry will advise the President on the creation of, and sign, the Israeli National Budget to be approved by the Knesset of Israel.
• Minister of Immigration (MoIM) – The Minister of Immigration is charged with assigning passes for approval of new citizen applications, citizen recruitment through advertising and article campaigns, and the administration and management of the Israeli Aid For Immigrants Organization. The Minister of Immigration is required to publically note through the official off site Israeli Forums newly granted citizenship.
• Minister of Information (MoIF) - The Minister of Information is charged with the administration, management, and publishing of official State of the State newspaper articles every week. The Minister of Information will serve as the voice of the Executive branch and keep the citizenry of Israel duly informed.

Cabinet Ministers must have resided in Israel for an accumulative, continuous period of at least 30 days in order to be appointed and take office, and must be residing within Israel at the time of appointment. A single citizen may not hold two Cabinet positions simultaneously.



II. Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch of the Israeli government shall consist of the Speaker of the Knesset (SoK) and Members of the Knesset (MK).
i. The term Member of the Knesset (MK) refers to the role of Congressman as defined by Erepublik rules and law. MKs are accountable to all in-game regulations of Congressmen.

A. Speaker of the Knesset (SoK)

The Speaker of the Knessest (SoK) will be elected on the 27th of each month through the official Israeli Knesset forum thread. The SoK is chosen through the support of 50% + 1 of the voting Knesset. Voting will be closed at midnight Erepublik time on the 28th of each month and winner announced. In the event of a tie for the election of the SoK, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

Senior members of each party represented in the Knesset will nominate one candidate on the 26th of each month through the official Israeli Knesset forum. Each candidate must be a duly elected member of the Knesset. Nominees for SoK may not hold a Cabinet position, may not be a Party President, or Country President. More than one party may nominate a single candidate.

The Speaker of the Knesset (SoK) will serve as a moderator for the discussions and votes that occur on the official forum of the Knesset of Israel, encouraging debate and participation. This includes posting in game shouts to forum links, publishing newspaper articles detailing said proposals along side a forum link, or by contacting each concerned individual, as appropriate. The Speaker of the House retains the following responsibilities and must abide by the following guidelines:

• The SoK will be charged with ensuring proper Knesset practice as dictated under Article 2: Rules of the Knesset of Israel.
• The SoK will call for a Knesset vote on proposals and will keep a tally of the votes to determine if a proposal passes or fails.
• The SoK will assign Knesset Members, as needed, to make official proposals for in-game voting.
• The SoK is charged with the administration and management of the Israeli Speaker of the House Organization.
• The SoK is responsible for publishing official communications through the Israeli Speaker of the House Organization newspaper announcing pending votes and Knesset updates.
• The SoK may not instruct Knesset members how to vote.
• The SoK may not publicly (via the Israeli Speaker of the House Organization) support or denigrate any one proposal.
• The SoK may not, for any reason, accept public donations to the Israeli Speaker of the House Organization.
• The SoK will manage and maintain a list of all future Knesset committees and committee members.
• The SoK will keep an account of active and inactive Knesset members and, as much as possible, commendation or reproach of individual Knesset members.
B. Members of the Knesset (MK)

The Members of the Knesset (MK), elected per in-game and laws of Erepublik, shall be recognized as the official legislative body of Israel. The Knesset Chambers, based within the official Israeli Knesset forum thread located here, *********, shall be the sole location for Knesset debate, budget and proposal approval, SoK voting, and all official Israeli Knesset business.

The Knesset of Israel is recognized as having the following powers:
• The Power to Pass or Block the monthly Israeli National Budget or subsequent budgetary adjustments tabled by the President or Cabinet, pursuant to Article 2.
• The power to propose legislation in regards to government policies, subject to the approval of the President and Knesset vote pursuant to Article 2.
• The power to Pass or Veto any proposal of War, Peace, Trade Agreements, Non-Aggression Pacts, Mutual Protection Pacts, and other inter or intra-governmental contracts, pursuant to Article 2.
• The power to request and receive, within a 48-Hour window, information on current or past governmental and ministerial activities. In instances where this information is deemed classified for reasons of national security, a quorum of the SoH, President, and senior Knesset Members of each party represented in the Knesset shall receive the requested information on a secure forum.
• The power to override an Executive Veto by a supermajority 75% support of the voting Knesset.
• The power to approve Constitutional Amendments proposed by the President by a supermajority of 90% of voting Knesset members, and subject to Supreme Court Approval.
• The power to propose Constitutional Amendments, subject to approval by a supermajority of 90% of voting Knesset members, and subject to Supreme Court Approval.
• The power to impeach the President for just cause, as dictated by Erepublik in-game rules and guidelines noted in Article 2.


III. Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch shall consist of the Attorney General and the Israeli Supreme Court.

A. Attorney General (AG)

The President of Israel will be appoint the Attorney General in accordance with, and subject to the terms of, Article 1, B. The Attorney General must have resided in Israel for an accumulative, continuous period of at least 45 days in order to be appointed and take office, must be residing within Israel at the time of appointment, and may not hold any cabinet position while serving as Attorney General. The Attorney General retains the following responsibilities:
• Ensure that all Government Organizations are contract protected, that all said contracts are current, and that relevant parties sign all contracts.
• Ensure that all Cabinet Ministers respect their constitutional duties and responsibilities to report to the Knesset.
• Draft and or approve new contracts for Governmental entities.
• Review and approve all contracts between Israeli Citizens.
• Receive and prioritize all requests for hearings before the Israeli Supreme Court.
• Ensure proper operational procedure of the Supreme Court.
• Update the forums with all cases presided over by the Supreme Court and subsequent judgments and trial transcripts.
• Present Judgments and/or violations of Erepublik law where applicable to the in-game Administrators in the form of official trouble tickets. Submitted tickets that correspond with Supreme Court Judgments or violations that fall outside of the authority of the Supreme Court shall be noted on the Official eIsraeli Forum the day they are submitted.

B. The Israeli Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is charged with interpreting the Constitution of Israel, determining when the Constitution has been breached in cases presented to the Court by the Attorney General, and hearing cases of criminal charges. Rulings from the Supreme Court will be used as precedent in cases of constitutional matter. The Supreme Court has the power to rescind any proposal or bill proposed if said proposal violates the Israeli Constitution.

Selection of Justices:
The Supreme Court will consist of five (5) Supreme Court Justices:
• The Vice President (Chief Justice)
• The Speaker of the Knesset
• The Party President of the 1st Largest Political Party at the time of the most recent Presidential election.
• The Party President of the 2nd Largest Political Party at the time of the most recent Presidential election.
• The Party President of the 3rd Largest Political Party at the time of the most recent Presidential election.
• In the event that a Supreme Court Justice in unable to adjudicate a case presented before the court, the President will preside over said case until a judgment is reached.

A justice will serve on the Supreme Court until their term ends, they resign, become ineligible, or are judged incapable of their duties by a 3/4th “Vote of No Confidence” by the other Supreme Court Justices.

Procedure of the Supreme Court
Any Citizen, Organization, Company, or Governmental Entity of Israel (Plaintiff) can file an Official Request for a Hearing through the Attorney General’s office against any Citizen, Organization, Company, or Governmental Entity of Israel (Defendant). Once the request has officially been filed, the Attorney General will notify the Defendant that legal action has been filed against them, and the following procedure will be followe😛
• The Attorney General will, prioritizing as necessary, present the request to the Supreme Court for a Preliminary Hearing, whereas the Supreme Court has 24-hours to validate and agree to hear the case.
• The Supreme Court will agree to hear the case by at least a 3/5th’s vote. The Chief Justice will then notify the Attorney General.
• If the case is validated through the Preliminary Hearing, the Attorney General will schedule a Court Date for the case. Cases may take place on IRC, through in-game PM’s, or on the Official eIsraeli Forums.
• The Attorney General will notify the Plaintiff and Defendant.
• Plaintiff and Defendant will submit witness lists to the Attorney General.
• The Court Date proceedings will consist of a Trial, Judgment, and Sentencing, all overseen for Constitutional abidance by the Attorney General:


o Trial
• The Plaintiff will be given opportunity to present their case, including calling on witnesses to give relevant testimony.
• The Defendant will be given opportunity to present their case, including calling on witnesses to give relevant testimony.
• Supreme Court Justices will be given the opportunity to ask questions of both parties.
• The TRIAL phase will last a maximum of two (2) days, unless the Attorney General deems it necessary by circumstance or request to extend the proceedings.

o Judgment
• All Supreme Court Justices will be called upon to give their verdicts within 24-Hours of the conclusion of the trial.
• If two (2) days pass after the conclusion of the trial and a majority of opinions has not been reached, a mistrial shall be declared.
• The case will be decided in the favor of the party with which the majority of justices have sided.
• Once the verdict is passed, the Supreme Court is charged, where applicable, with determining a fair and appropriate Sentence.
• The Attorney General will validate the Judicial vote and sentence, posting the case summary, judgment, and transcripts where possible, publically on the Official Israel Forum, within 24-hours of the Judgment.
• Notes on Supreme Court Authority
Trials of a Constitutional nature are to be considered for hearing solely by the Supreme Court. Charges of theft, harassment, or violations of Erepublik law may be heard by the Supreme Court, but it is required that an official complaint tickets be submitted to the Administrators of Erepublik by the Attorney General for a full investigation.

o Sentencing
The Supreme Court of Israel may hand out sentences including, but not limited, to:
• Fines levied against the guilty party (not exceed 60% of a citizens total worth).
• Seizure of illegally acquired assets, property, or holdings.
• If a Citizen has been found guilty of violating the Constitution of Israel, it is within the powers of the Supreme Court of Israel to ban the guilty party from ever holding any Cabinet position, Judicial Appointment; to ban them from receiving any type of governmental aid; and to bar them from serving in the eIDF in any capacity; for life.
• Judgments and Sentences of the Israel Supreme Court are to be considered binding by the Administrators of Erepublik, per the in-game rules of contracts as noted in eRepublik Law (http://wiki.erepublik.com/index.php/Rules). By Knesset approval of this Constitution, the leadership and citizenry of eIsrael grant the authority to in-game Administrators of Erepublik to deem Israeli Supreme Court decisions as the legal and contractual will of the people, and subject to their adherence to Judgments and Sentences passed.

Constitutional Amendments and the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Israel has the power to deem a Constitutional Amendment approved and presented to it, as Unconstitutional by a majority vote of the sitting Supreme Court Justices (defined as a minimum of 3/5th of the bench). If an Amendment if judged Unconstitutional by the court, said Amendment must regain approval through the processes noted for the duly elected President or body Knesset.

SECTION 2: 
 SCHEDULE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACTION
• 4th of Each Month – All nominated Presidential Candidates must sign appropriate Established Economic Protection Contracts (Article 4).
• 6th of Each Month – The President must announce his Cabinet appointments publically, including the Attorney General, and all Cabinet Ministers must sign appropriate Established Economic Protection Contracts (Article 4).
• 7th of Each Month - The President of Israel must submit the Israeli National Budget to the Knesset, and must be signed by the Minister of Finance and Minister of Industry (unless granted an extension, on a day by day basis, by the Speaker of the Knesset for due cause.)
• 9th of Each Month – The Knesset Israeli national Budget approval vote will conclude at midnight Erepublik time.
• 26th of Each Month – Speaker of the Knesset nomination deadline. Senior members of each party represented in the Knesset will nominate one candidate through the official Israeli Knesset forum.
• 27th of Each Month – Speaker of the Knesset Voting begins for a period of 24-hours.
• 28th of Each Month – Speaker of the Knesset announced.

SECTION 3: 
 THE PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER

The peaceful transition of power, and the continuance of the safeguards of liberty and law established in this Constitution, must be ensured in perpetuity.

New Administrations
When voted by the electorate, new Administrations are bound by the terms of this Constitution. It assumed that once the vote is confirmed by the in-game Administrators, those chosen through election are subject to the rule of law established herein. In addition, those elected to the Presidency or Speaker of the Knesset positions, or appointed to Cabinet Ministries, are bound to the terms of the Established Protection Contracts. Those elected or appointed must also follow the Schedule of Governmental Action.

New Administrations Via Impeachment
When ascending to power through Impeachment by Knesset Vote, new Administrations are bound by the terms of this Constitution. It assumed that once the Impeachment is confirmed by the in-game Administrators, those assuming power through Impeachment are subject to the rule of law established herein. In addition, those assuming power through Impeachment of the Presidency or Speaker of the Knesset positions, or appointed to Cabinet Ministries, are bound to the terms of the Established Protection Contracts. Those assuming power through Impeachment and appointed by those who have assumed power through Impeachment must also follow the terms of the Schedule of Governmental Action within a 48-hours period of assuming office.

Succession of Power
Should the President, for whatever reason, not be able to fulfill all the duties and responsibilities of their office, the Presidency shall be awarded to the appointed Vice President. In the absence of a Vice President, the Presidency shall be awarded to the candidate with the second-highest vote total in the most recent Presidential Elections.

A case in which the Vice-Presidential succession shall be superseded is that of a President removed due to electoral irregularities. In the event of such an occurrence, the candidate with the second-highest vote total in the most recent Presidential Election shall take Presidential office.

In the event neither the Vice-President or the candidate with the second-highest vote total in the most recent Presidential Elections can assume the office of the Presidency, the appointed Cabinet Minister with the Highest In-Game Experience Points shall assume the office of the Presidency, based on availability and in descending order of each Minister.


ARTICLE 2: RULES OF THE KNESSET OF ISRAEL

All legislation put before the Knesset of Israel must follow the following guidelines or is deemed invalid by this Constitution:
• Three (3) Members of the Knesset must sign and propose any and all pieces of legislation to be considered by the Knesset.
• Once proposed, said piece of legislation must be presented to the full Knesset body via the Official forum for debate. This debate period shall last no less than 24-Hours.
• Once the 24-Hours Debate and Discussion period has concluded, the Speaker of the Knesset may call for a Knesset vote in the Official Knesset Voting Hall on the forum. (The SoK may also extend the Debate and Discussion period at their discretion).
• Once the piece of legislation is placed for cote in the Voting Hall, a 48-Hour voting period takes place.
• The legislation is passed only with the support of 50%+1 of Knesset voting members.
• If passed, the Speaker of the Knesset will validate the vote and legislation.
• If passed, the Attorney General will validate the vote and legislation as Constitutional.
• If passed and validated, the President must sign or veto the legislation within 24-hours. If the President takes no action within a 24-Hour period, the legislation is considered Signed in Absentia and approved.
• If passed, and the piece of legislation requires an additional in-game vote, the SoK shall select a Member of the Knesset to propose.
• If passed, and the piece of legislation does not require in-game voting, the legislation becomes law.
• If the piece of legislation becomes a law, the Speaker of the Knesset must make a public declaration of the proceedings, providing a summary of the debate and accounting of the vote tallies both in an Official forum post and released in an article through the media.

* Any proposal made using the eRepublik Congress system that doesn't follow the procedure explicitly as described above, requires all Knesset members to vote "No" automatically.
* Any variables to the above guidelines that require the process to be adjusted are to be determined by the Speaker of the Knesset.

Knesset Code of Conduct
All Knesset Members will endeavor, to the best of their ability, to make an informed decision and vote accordingly upon that decision. Party line voting and voting with the majority based on an uninformed decision is strongly discouraged. All discussions and debate are to be kept civil and within the realm of decorum befitting the honor of the Knesset. Personal attacks, subversive proclamations, or actions or statements deemed inappropriate by the Speaker of the Knesset shall be grounds for public censure.

ARTICLE 3: RULES AND STRUCTURE OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCE (eIDF)

ARTICLE 4: ESTABLISHED ECONOMIC PROTECTION CONTRACTS

ARTICLE 5: RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENRY

i. Definitions: A “citizen” is defined as a person or persons who has been born in eIsrael or has been granted citizenship through the established Knesset process (as noted below) and lived in eIsrael for thirty (30) days. Any person or persons having moved to eIsrael with the intention of living permanently shall be defined as an “immigrant” until he/she has lived in the country for the required time.

1. All residents of eIsrael are considered equals in absolute terms.
I. RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH: No citizen shall be denied his or her basic rights of Free Speech, regardless of its content. Furthermore, it is the duty of the United States Government to protect and defend the right to free speech of its citizens, regardless of foreign interests.
II. RIGHT TO A TIMELY TRIAL: All citizens, in the event of being accused of a violation of the rule of law, have the right to a fair and timely trial as defined in Article 1 (Section I, 3, 😎, regardless of the nature of his or her crime.
III. RIGHT TO RELIOUS FREEDOM: Citizens in eRepublik, any offsite forums, IRC, MSN, and any other form of social interaction with other Israelis and multi-national Citizens have the right to their own beliefs and religious convictions, and cannot be alienated by the government for these beliefs unless said actions are in violation of an eRepublik or Israeli Consitutional criminal code.
IV. RIGHT TO TRANSLATION: Any Citizen has the right to request appropriate and timely translation of any article, update, accusation, comment, or shout through the Official Translation Bureau. NO CITIZEN SHALL BE MARGINALIZED BASED ON INABILITY TO UNDERSRTAND ENGLISH OR HEBREW.

This constitution shall be considered a regulatory document, not a permissible one. As such, any and all rights not specified in this constitution are considered to be rights of the people unless legislated by the appropriate authorities.