Knesset Speaker Rivlin. All in favor of move
Photo: Noam Moskovich
MKs okay NIS 1,078 salary increase
Following House Committee's approval, Israeli lawmakers to be paid some NIS 37,000 a month
The Knesset's House Committee on Tuesday canceled a decision from 2009 to freeze lawmakers' salaries. As a result, Knesset members will receive an additional NIS 1,078 (about $290) a month.
The new decision was unanimously approved by only eight MKs who attended the discussion. From now on, Israeli lawmakers will be paid a little more than NIS 37,000 ($9,950) a month.
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Although they are aware of the potential public criticism, the MKs claim the move was justified and that all accusations will be met courageously. However, the poor attendance at the discussion and vote, and the fact that not one representative of the opposition showed up, proves that they fear criticism nonetheless.
The MKs who did show up for the discussion and voted in favor of the move included Ze'ev Elkin (Likud), Yariv Levin (Likud), Nissim Zeev (Shas), Uri Orbach (Habayit Hayehudi), Zion Fanian (Likud), Hamad Amar (Yisrael Beiteinu), Avraham Michaeli (Shas) and David Rotem (Yisrael Beiteinu).
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, who attended the discussion, did have a vote but noted that he was all in favor for the move.
House Committee discussion (Photo: Noam Moskovioch)
At the start of the discussion, Rivlin elaborated on the decisions of the Gronau Committee, which recommended canceling the pay freeze implemented following the financial crisis in early 2009.
"The MK salary issue always evokes sentiments and criticism on the part of the public toward its elective representatives. The Knesset is a place where the public sometimes directs all of its frustrations. The Knesset was aware of this criticism in 1996, and decided that it was wrong that in terms of MKs' rights and liabilities, the MKs would be the ones to determine their own salary.
"Usually," Rivlin continued, "the criticism is against the Knesset – and that's a good thing. The public's sensitivity toward the Knesset is positive and can be judgmental. Like CEOs and minister, Knesset members deserve a salary increase as well.
"I understand the criticism, but we must face it proudly. MKs do not determine their salary, and that's crystal clear."
He added, "The Knesset members have given up the right to determine their salary. In early 2009, due to a financial crisis, the heads of the State and MKs decided to freeze their salaries. When economy workers get a pay increase, MKs do not get the same raise because they work on automatic pilot."
According to the Knesset speaker, "It's possible that if the MKs' salary would have gone up in June together with the rest of the economy, there would be no criticism. MKs must make a living and avoid having to face any inappropriate influence."
