Although the Knesset is already well into its summer recess,
based on forecasts of coming events it does not seem that the
MKs will be able to disengage themselves from the Knesset
very much. Knesset Chairman Reuven Rivlin warned that unlike
the traditional summer recesses, if he receives 61 signatures
of MKs demanding to submit a no-confidence motion he will
convene a plenum session immediately. Similarly he said that
if he receives 61 signatures in support of a private
initiative to disband the Knesset and hold early elections,
he will call a meeting of the Knesset. Of course the chances
of 61 MKs backing either of these two options before the
Disengagement process is complete are next-to-nothing.
Rivlin also said several right-wing, anti-Disengagement MKs
have asked him to shorten the summer recess to allow them to
closely oversee the Disengagement process. In other words
they were asking to use the Knesset as a platform from which
to wreak havoc and draw media attention. Rivlin denied their
request but this will not prevent them from requesting
special recess gatherings every week.
Knesset Committees are not recessing, especially those
committees involved in Disengagement-related issues.
Constitutional Committee Chairman Michael Eitan announced
that 23 committee meetings have already been scheduled for
next month. The Foreign Affairs and Security Committee also
has a packed agenda. In the coming weeks they are scheduled
to hear reports—mostly on the Disengagement—from
the Prime Minister, the Security Minister, the General Chief
of Staff, the head of IDF intelligence and a long lineup of
other important personages. Neither is the Finance Committee
headed for much of a break, but will be busy overseeing
economic issues tied to implementing the Disengagement Plan,
including compensation for evacuees, various payments,
etc.
Rabbi Gafni Recognized for Excellence
When the Summer Recess began, the Knesset Chairman's Office
released a statistical report on the activity of various
Knesset members during the past two-and-a-half years since
the present term began. At a special press conference
Chairman Reuven Rivlin mentioned a list of 15 MKs
distinguished for excellent service, including Rabbi Moshe
Gafni.
Rabbi Gafni had a 97 percent attendance rate on plenum days.
He delivered 304 speeches—more than any other chareidi
MK— and submitted the maximum 76 questions, a number
matched by only a handful of other MKs. Only two other MKs
lodged as many oral questions and he was in third place in
the number of legislation proposals that managed to pass all
of the necessary readings.
Rabbi Gafni posted the second highest attendance rate in
meetings of committees in which he is not a member. Although
he is only a member of the Education Committee and the State
Control Committee he exercises his right as a Knesset member
to attend various other committee meetings (without a vote,
but with the ability to participate in discussions).
Sharon Takes Some Blows
After being wined and dined in France for a week, Sharon came
home to two major blows. The first was a decision by Attorney
General Mani Mazuz to file an indictment against his dear
son, Omri. After clearing Sharon from suspicions related to
the Greek Island Affair it was clear that Omri would have to
pay the price because the public would not tolerate letting
both the father and son get off scot-free.
Omri seems to have already come to terms with the fact he may
not be a Member of Knesset the next time around. But he does
have money and with this money he can hire a top lawyer to
get him off with the minimal punishment possible.
The question now up in the air is whether his decision to try
the young Sharon on criminal charges means the Attorney
General is providing himself an alibi for eventually deciding
not to try the senior Sharon in connection with the Cyril
Kern Affair, which is still under investigation.
Sharon's second blow came in the form of a decision by the
Knesset plenum to set up a parliamentary investigation
commission to look into the government infrastructures and
the connection between capital and the present rule. The
decision caught the Likud by surprise, like lightning on a
clear, blue day. And named as head of the commission is none
other than Michael Eitan, perhaps the MK who has lodged the
most public and piercing criticism of both Ariel and Omri
Sharon.
Sharon and Eitan are not friends, to say the least. Sharon
left him out of the government though he has over 20 years
experience in the Knesset, served as a minister under
Netanyahu and is higher up on the Likud list than some MKs
who were given portfolios.
As head of the commission, therefore, Eitan can be expected
to grill Sharon ruthlessly like the investigative commissions
in the US Senate. And once the Disengagement is over Sharon's
immunity in the press will be over, too. It promises to be
quite a spectacle.
