MK Naama Lazimi Breaks Down in Tears Urging Passage of Public Housing Purchase Law

During a Knesset plenary session on Tuesday, MK Naama Lazimi delivered an emotional speech advocating for the advancement of the Ran Cohen bill, which would allow public housing tenants to purchase their apartments at a discount. Lazimi broke into tears while reading a letter from a 38-year-old mother of a child with cerebral palsy who lives in public housing. She emphasized that these families did not choose public housing but were forced into it by circumstances, and that the bill represents an opportunity for thousands to escape poverty rather than a mere benefit.

Lazimi called on the government to increase the public housing stock and budgets instead of blocking families from buying their homes. She stressed that many tenants have worked and paid taxes but faced sudden changes in their lives leading to their current situation. Deputy Knesset Speaker Michel Buskila, seated at the presidium, was visibly moved and also teared up during her speech.

Addressing Buskila directly, Lazimi urged him to help pass the bill, saying, "If you push, it will pass." She concluded by calling for the bill’s promotion to resume during the current Knesset session, highlighting the urgent need to provide a path out of poverty for public housing residents.