The Knesset House Committee is scheduled to convene Monday to vote on President Shimon Peres’ request that he be allowed to continue taking an active role in associations dedicated to commemorating Israel's
first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
A Ynet survey of the committee’s 25 members indicates that the request will apparently be denied. Only one member, Kadima’s Yoel Hasson, said he would definitely vote in favor of granting the president’s request, while Yakov Margi of Shas said he was inclined to support Peres as well.
MKs Reuven Rivlin (Likud), who ran against Peres in the presidential race, and Ronit Tirosh of Kadima said they were leaning towards voting against Peres’ request but added that they have not reached a final decision on the matter.
“Just as many people consider Ze’ev Jabotinsky to be the source of their heritage, Peres regards Ben-Gurion as his source of inspiration,” Rivlin said. “However, the president must be everyone’s president, and should therefore not head any organization with a specific (political) affiliation, particularly if this organization is funded by the state.”
Shortly after taking office, Peres approached the House Committee, requesting he be allowed to hold his position as head of the David Ben-Gurion Research Center and several affiliated institutions.
"In all my years as a minister I asked – and received – a special permit to keep an active role in this association," wrote Peres to the House Committee.
But last week the Knesset's legal council, attorney Nurit Altstein, submitted a legal opinion recommending the committee deny Peres' request.
“The president's involvement with this association gives it special status and may be perceived as inappropriate favoritism," she said.
Altstein further warned that Peres' link to the association might influence decision-makers when the question of funds arises.