The Knesset plenum approved today (Monday) the request of MK Erez Malul of Shas to hold a debate on the closure of post offices and the severe impact of the lack of distribution of post offices in Jerusalem and the periphery.
Representatives of the Ministry of Finance and postal service representatives are expected to participate in the discussion, which will be held in the Committee for Reducing Gaps in the Periphery.
The request to hold an urgent hearing came after the post office recently decided to close three branches in central Jerusalem. These are the branches on Agrippa Street, KKL-JNF Street, and the 'Shar'ei Yerushalayim' branch on 217 Jaffa Street.
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The closure of the branches in Jerusalem joins a long line of reductions in postal services and the closure of branches, mainly in the periphery.
The first victims are the elderly and the ultra-Orthodox population, which has less access to digital services, which the post office offers as an alternative to the services and branches that were closed.
The moves to close and reduce postal services are a result of the privatization of Israel Postal Services.
In a discussion in the Knesset plenum, MK Erez Malul read out what the State Comptroller wrote in the latest public acceptability report: "The Ombudsman's Office in the State Comptroller's Office received hundreds of complaints from customers about the level of service in 2020-2021, particularly regarding the operation of mail delivery centers that are remote from residents' homes.".
Malul said: "The current reality constitutes a serious harm and a serious lack of accessibility for the general public, and in particular for the elderly population/people with disabilities/the Haredi population. These data reinforce the need for close parliamentary criticism of the harm to the consumer public.".
The MK emphasized: "There is no doubt that privatization is necessary, but at the same time, it is our obligation as elected officials to address the deficiencies caused by this and to improve service and accessibility for citizens, especially for the weaker sections, and not to worsen the situation that existed before privatization began.".
During the discussion, MK Malul is expected to demand that government representatives and Israel Post ensure that all Israel Post services are accessible to all citizens, especially disadvantaged populations.
