A respectable number of the 31 new MKs who took the oath of office earlier this week were already prepared to introduce their new legislation in the hope of taking it through committee and having it voted into law. The Knesset secretariat reports no less than 170 bills have been introduced in the 18th Knesset, which took the oath of office on Tuesday.

First on the list was veteran MK (Labor) Ofir Pines, seeking to change Israel’s form of elections. He proposes 60 MKs would be elected in electoral districts and the reaming 60 nationwide as exists today.

Newly-elected Meretz MK Nissan Horowitz was next, working to beat out Yisrael Beitenu, presenting a civil marriage bill, submitting a less comprehensive bill than the Yisrael Beitenu version.

There is already discussion regarding a shortened Pesach vacation for MKs. MK Zevulun Orlev believes this is a must, to permit MKs to keep tabs on the government and continue its legislative duties.

MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi disagrees, and released harsh criticism of some of the new lawmakers, who he says just arrived and already have an opinion regarding the lack of time. Tibi states there are some lawmakers who have not had a break, continued working during the elections and remain loyal public servants.

MK R’ Moshe Gafne opposes curtailing the Pesach recess, questioning rhetorically if he and his colleagues remained at home or failed to engage in continuous efforts as public servants. Gafne opposes a change, commenting there are MKs “who are afraid of the media criticism” and feel compelled to implement a change so the press is satisfied that MKs work enough. “Before you know it we will also work on Chol Hamoed” he added.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)