Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid
MK Lapid fined NIS 6,000 for unjustified absence from Knesset sessions
Knesset Ethics committee found that 3 MKs exceeded the quota of permissable absences from Knesset plenums; Lapid: 'I did it to stop delegitimization of Israel in the world.'
The Knesset Ethics Committee (KEC) will impose a 6,000 shekel fine on Yesh Atid chairman, Yair Lapid for his absence from a number of Knesset sessions deemed unjustified.
The fine, which constitutes four days of Lapid’s total monthly salary, was decided in light of a report published on Monday night which addressed the matter of absenteeism among MKs from Knesset winter sessions.
It found that that 117 MKs, ministers and deputy ministers met the minimum attendance rate required. However, three were found to have exceeded the number of permitted absences, prompting the committee to examine their justifications.
During the winter session, the committee said, the Knesset convened 75 times. Therefore, according to the rules, an MK is required to explain his or her reasons is absent 25 times or more. Similarly, a deputy minister must do so if absent 30 times while a minister must do so if absent 38 times.
Yair Lapid (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
The inquiry found that MK Lapid was absent from 32 sessions, 8 above the permitted quota. In an effort to defend his actions, Lapid claimed before the committee that he views Israel’s status in the international arena as a top priority, particularly in light of the BDS movement. “In accordance with this, I was requested to appear in many international forums and to represent Israel in the struggle against the delegitimization of Israel in the world,” he stated, pointing out that he met with many European foreign ministers and delivered speeches against the UN Human Rights Council and therefore took absence from the plenum.
The Ethics Committee determined that the established quota of lawful absences was intended to enable MKs to take part in tours, to give lectures and to engage in different activities in Israel and around the world and that absences which exceeded the permitted quota was beyond reasonable justification. “First and foremost, an MK is obliged to carry out his parliamentary duties, at least during the days of plenary sessions within the assigned quota,” the report read.
In light of its conclusions, the committee decided that the reasons provided by Lapid were deemed unreasonable. “Despite the significant deviation, the Ethics Committee is inclined to see this fact as a first time,” the report read. “Therefore, in accordance with the law of immunity, it has been decided that MK Lapid will have four days only of his salary revoked.”
Another MK who came under the KECs scrutiny was Taleb Abu Arar (Arab Joint List) who was absent from 26 sessions - two above the quota. He justified his absentia on grounds of dental treatment. Furthermore, he claimed that in some instances his entry was not registered and posited that the record was inaccurate. Abu Arar said that he endeavors to participate in every session and perform his duties. The KEC decided to issue a warning only since this was the first time Abu Arar has failed to fulfil his required quota.
MK Mickey Rosenfeld (Zionist Union), who also failed to attend two sessions beyond the quota, cited health reasons for his absence and even produced medical documentation to prove it. The KEC accepted Rosenfeld’s reasons.
