MK (Labor) Prof. Avishai Braverman torpedoed the Sunday morning session of the Knesset Finance Committee, explaining that until the plan is explained in its entirety to the committee, it will not be voted upon.

Due to the ongoing dispute between Finance Minister Roni Bar-On and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert regarding the economic security net portion of the economic bail-out plan, Bar-On requested that only two of the three components of the plan be presented to the committee.

During the stormy debate regarding the plan, Braverman, the committee chair, announced there would be no vote on Sunday, telling his colleagues the vote would be pushed off a day.

Kadima leader Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni called Braverman’s decision “a disgrace” in light of the urgent economic realities.

Histadrut National Labor Federation leader Ofir Eini, who was attending the meeting, praised the actions of the committee members and Braverman.

Committee member MK (Likud) Reuven Rivlin called it a “political exercise” and stated the decision to postpone the vote is unfortunate. He stated the committee could have approved portions of the bill which enjoy widespread support.

MK (Labor) Shelly Yacimovitz supported Braverman’s decision, explaining a plan intended to save the nation’s economy is passed by “gaining consent and approval, not by using political tactics”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)