The Knesset Ethics Committee summarized the absence of Knesset members at the summer conference of the second session of the Knesset.
Among its decisions:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was absent from 20 meetings, 3 more than the limit. "The committee decided that the special role of the Prime Minister, and the fact that Operation Protective Edge took place during the conference, constitute reasonable justification for the absence.
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Defense Minister Moshe Bogy Ya'alon was absent from 24 meetings, 7 more than the limit. "Minister Ya'alon told the committee that he regrets his absence, but was forced to be absent from the Knesset due to the security situation, especially during Operation Protective Edge, which began during the conference.
The committee found that from the opening of Operation Protective Edge on July 8, 2014, until the end of the conference, Minister Ya'alon was absent from ten Knesset meetings. This is not the first time in the current Knesset that Minister Ya'alon has been absent beyond the quota set by law, but the committee considers his explanations and the special security situation that prevailed during the conference to be a reasonable justification for his absence.
As for Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, the committee decided to impose a "warning" on him. "Minister Katz wrote to the committee that he apologizes for the absences and that he is careful not to be absent from the Knesset beyond the quota set by law.
Minister Katz also detailed the reasons for his 5-day absence, including a two-day working visit abroad and professional tours in Israel.
The Ethics Committee has previously determined that political and ministerial activities and professional travel during the Knesset's working period are permitted within the absence quota established by law (and it should be noted that ministers have the largest absence quota). Therefore, the Committee determines that Minister Katz did not present reasonable justification for the absence. However, given the fact that this is the first time in the 19th Knesset that Minister Katz has been absent beyond the quota, the Committee decided to impose a "warning" on him.
Minister for Senior Citizens Uri Orbach was absent from 17 meetings, one more than the limit. "Minister Orbach informed the Ethics Committee that he was absent for unusual health reasons, and the Committee decided to see this as reasonable justification for the absence.".
Deputy Minister of Transportation Tzipi Hotovely was absent from 16 meetings, 3 more than the allowed number. "KLA Hotovely gave birth in March 2014. The Ethics Committee has previously ruled that absence for the period of maternity leave stipulated by law constitutes reasonable justification for the absence, and this is also true in this case.".
MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer was absent from 24 meetings, 13 meetings more than allowed. "MK Ben-Eliezer informed the Ethics Committee that he was absent for unusual health reasons, and the committee decided to see this as reasonable justification for the absence.".
MK Muhammad Baraka – absent from 16 meetings, 5 meetings above the limit. "MK Baraka informed the committee regarding two days of absence that during a demonstration in which he participated and was attacked by the YSM police, his advisor and two sons were arrested and he was present with them in court for two days. Regarding three additional days, he noted that a Muslim holiday was held on those days.
The committee found that MK Bracha's absence during the holiday was reasonably justified. On the other hand, the committee did not find reasonable justification for his absence for two additional days. MK Bracha did not give an explanation for all 13 days of absence, but only stated the reason for his absence for two days, and for absences for various reasons, the law establishes an absence quota of one-third of the days of meetings.
This is the second time in the 19th Knesset that MK Bracha has been absent beyond the quota set by law. In Resolution No. 15/19, which dealt with the winter session of the second session of the 19th Knesset, the committee found that MK Bracha had been absent beyond the limit, but since this was the first time he had been absent as stated, it decided not to impose any sanctions. Under these circumstances, the committee decided... to impose on MK Bracha a one-day suspension of salary.".
MK Shaul Mofaz – absent from 13 meetings, two meetings more than allowed. "MK Mofaz informed the committee that he is careful about attending Knesset meetings, but explained his absence by the difficult events that occurred during the conference – the kidnapping of the teenagers and Operation Protective Edge. MK Mofaz mentioned three days in which he was active outside the Knesset in connection with these events.
""As stated above, the absence quota set by law is intended to allow Knesset members, among other things, tours, visits, and various activities held during the session outside the Knesset building. Therefore, the committee determines that MK Mofaz did not present reasonable justification for the absence. However, given the fact that this is the first time in the 19th Knesset that MK Mofaz has been absent beyond the quota, the committee decided to impose a warning on him.".
MK Haneen Zoabi – was absent from 12 meetings, one meeting more than the limit. "The committee decided that in light of the fact that the days of Eid al-Fitr overlapped three days of Knesset meetings during the session, the absence quota for Muslim MKs should be calculated in a way that they are not disadvantaged compared to Jewish MKs. Therefore, the committee decided that the absence of Muslim MKs for up to three days during the session constitutes reasonable justification.".
MK Ofo Agbariya – absent from 12 meetings, one meeting more than the permitted number, "The committee reiterates what is stated in Section 9.".
