The Knesset Recess is a Disgrace

Israel is facing its longest war since the War of Independence. Only yesterday a Hizballah rocket exploded in the Druse village of Majdal Shams killing 12 children at play and wounding many more, some seriously.

As a consequence, our prime minister was forced to return early from his visit to the United States in order to convene his security cabinet and discuss Israel’s response to the attack, which could easily degenerate into a regional war.

However, on the very day that he returned, the Knesset went into a recess, which will extend until the 27th October. Three whole months!

Why is the recess so long this year? Because it is a leap year in the Hebrew calendar, and the Knesset will not reconvene until after the Jewish holidays.

That being the case, one might well ask why the Knesset did not choose to go into recess later in the Summer, particularly since hostages are still being held by the Hamas in Gaza and we are potentially in danger of entering into a full-scale war?

The simple answer is that the members of the Knesset are lazy. The UK House of Commons’ Summer recess this Summer only extends from the 30th July until the 2nd September. Why does the Knesset need to go into recess for three whole months?!!! (By contrast, the House of Commons never goes into recess for more than five weeks.)

Israel’s Knesset members enjoy a basic monthly salary, excluding all of the extras they receive, that amounts to 41,866 NIS. By contrast, a UK Member of Parliament receives just 35,611 NIS even though the average income in the UK is higher than that in Israel.

What conclusions can be drawn? Israel’s Knesset members not only enjoy a long summer break, but are also well-paid. One might well ask how they can justify their salaries and going into recess for three months at a time when Israel is at war and our military is fighting to defend our country.