Knesset Speaker: Vote for more decent MKs
Reuven Rivlin concludes term of 16th parliament during news conference, says ‘Our pride does not rest on this Knesset’
Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin concluded the term of the 16th parliament during a news conference on Wednesday, saying “Our pride does not rest on this Knesset. My friends, vote for more decent Members of Knesset.”
Despite his censuring remarks Rivlin said the Knesset is the most important institution in Israeli democracy.
In the last few days prior to the end of its term, the Knesset approved a bill proposing an extension of the budget for ministers by NIS 900,000 (USD 196,000). The Knesset also approved with a majority of 76 votes a bill by Balad MK Azmi Bishara to compensate victims of Polio despite government opposition. Attempts to pass the Polio compensation law over the last 11 years were unsuccessful.
A bill by Likud MK Lea Nass to restrict government grants to business who exceed pollution quotas has also been approved.
'We in the Likud made peace with Egypt'
“Today new priorities have been put in place whereby life is more important than death and citizen protection is more important than destructive industrialists. Today the State of Israel has a green smile,” Nass said
Since its first session on February 17, 2003 until Wednesday the 16th Knesset approved a total of 358 bills, 176 proposed by the government and 156 by Members of Knesset. Knesset committees submitted 16 law proposals.
A meeting of the Likud faction was held in the Knesset Wednesday amid an optimistic atmosphere in light of the election of Benjamin Netanyahu to party leader.
“We in the Likud made peace with Egypt, unconditionally supported the peace agreement with Jordan, and I personally as prime minister conducted successful negotiations with the Palestinians and signed responsible and accurate arrangements,” said Netanyahu in reference to the Wye River agreement with Yasser Arafat.
