The Knesset Ethics Committee today (Tuesday) published a series of decisions against Knesset members, ministers, and parliamentary advisors regarding absences from Knesset meetings, promotion of commercial entities, offensive statements, and the responsibility of Knesset members for the conduct of their advisors.
In the context of the Ethics Committee's decision on the issue of Knesset members' absences from Knesset meetings during the winter and summer sessions of the third session, it was determined that MK Aryeh Deri was absent from 44 meetings, exceeding the permitted quota. The committee noted that some of his absences were due to cabinet discussions and security forums, but decided to impose a severe reprimand on him and withhold his salary for eight days.
MK Mansur Abbas, who was absent from ten meetings beyond the allowed quota, received a reprimand and a three-day suspension of pay. Minister Haim Biton, who served as a minister who is not a MK, received a reprimand and a two-day suspension of pay. Minister Miki Zohar received a reprimand and a one-day suspension of pay.
On the other hand, the Ethics Committee decided not to impose sanctions on Minister Haim Katz, Minister May Golan, MK Ayman Odeh, MK Yasser Hujirat, MK Michal Shir-Sagman, Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf, Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, MK Michel Buskila, MK Yoav Ben Tzur, Deputy Minister Sharan Haskel, MK Boaz Toporovsky, MK Yaakov Tesler, MK Aida Toma Suleiman, Minister Gideon Saar, Minister Yisrael Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even though in some cases it was determined that they exceeded the absence quota.
The Ethics Committee also issued decisions regarding complaints about promoting commercial entities. MK Limor Son Har-Malech received a citation after attending a fundraising conference for Amiram Ben-Uliel. The committee determined that participating as a speaker at an event aimed at raising funds was inappropriate for her position as a MK.
Regarding MK Ayman Odeh, the committee rejected a complaint against him for advertising a peace conference at the Menorah Hall, determining that this was a political-ideological event and not a commercial promotion. At the same time, Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir received a comment after sharing a video in which he was seen spending time at an amusement park and praising it. The committee determined that this was an improper promotion of a commercial entity.
In another chapter, the committee dealt with the responsibility of Knesset members and ministers for the conduct of their parliamentary advisors. Several complaints were filed against Minister Shlomo Kari following the conduct of his advisor, which included an outburst at MK Yair Lapid, insulting a journalist and snatching his phone from him, as well as distributing a false advertisement against MK David Bitan. The committee determined that Minister Kari did not fulfill his responsibility to supervise his advisor and imposed a reprimand on him.
Another complaint was filed against MK Ohad Tal following a tweet by his advisor against Minister Avi Dichter. The committee determined that MK Tal acted to have the post removed and therefore did not find that he violated the rules of ethics.
A complaint was also filed against Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for the behavior of his parliamentary advisor towards MKs Meirav Ben-Ari and Matti Tzarfati Harkabi and their staff. The committee strongly criticized the statements but rejected the complaint, partly because the events occurred before the principled decision on the responsibility of MKs for their advisors.
The committee discussed MK Nissim Vaturi's outburst towards MK Naama Lazimi, in which he called her "stupid" and "a complete idiot." The committee determined that these statements constitute an insult to the dignity of Knesset members and the status of the Knesset. However, the committee noted that it did not lose sight of the circumstances that led to this, including MK Lazimi's statements, which repeatedly called the Likud party a "criminal organization.".
The Ethics Committee also discussed a series of complaints against MK Moshe Saada. Among other things, his statements regarding the Gaza Strip and his conduct as acting chairman of the Constitution Committee in discussions in which he confronted MK Ofer Kassif and Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon were examined. The committee determined that some of his statements crossed the line of legitimate criticism and constituted an insult to the dignity of the Knesset and public servants.
Ultimately, the committee decided to impose a severe reprimand on Saada and deny her the right to speak in Knesset committees for three days of meetings, between May 18-20, 2026.
In addition, a decision was issued in the case of MK Naama Lazimi, following her participation in a roadblock during a demonstration in Tel Aviv and due to a tweet by her parliamentary advisor against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The committee determined that participation in a roadblock exceeded the limits of legitimate protest, and also criticized the parliamentary advisor's style of expression.
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