In past administrations, the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee numbered 17 members but today, in the new expanded Netanyahu cabinet, the prestigious committee numbers 34 MKs.
 
A number of veteran members of the prestigious forum feel the inflated number of members will compromise the committee’s ability to continue operating as a watchdog of the nation’s security and defense establishments. It is possible that truly sensitive matters will not be brought before the greater committee, but will be addressed by the significantly smaller subcommittee.
 
The committee will convene for its first session on Tuesday, during which time Chief of Military Intelligence Major-General Amos Yadlin will brief members on a number of pertinent matters. The committee will this week also elect the chair of the subcommittee which addresses classified matters including intelligence and security issues.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)