The Finance Committee convened on Tuesday and voted to approve the recommendation of the House Committee to appoint MK Hanoch Milwidsky (Likud) as chair of the Finance Committee. In the vote, ten members of Knesset voted in favor and seven voted against.
After the approval of his appointment, MK Milwidsky responded to the remarks made by the Members of Knesset, saying, “I heard what you said earlier. As for this entire event, at present I am under instructions and not allowed to comment either on the investigation or on the details of the case. I have only one thing to say—there is a vast difference between what has come out in the media, and all kinds of things that people read out, as opposed to what actually happened. I am convinced that the decent people among you, after [the truth of] the matter is made public, will understand the event a bit better. Beyond that, I am unable to comment, regrettably. I am saying in advance that I did not take any of your remarks personally; it’s clear to me that you behaved decently, even if I have criticism of the way [it was done].”
Prior to the approval of MK Milwidsky’s appointment, members of the opposition spoke.
MK Vladimir Beliak (Yesh Atid): “There are many aspects that can be addressed. Regrettably, there is almost no legal norm that you [in the coalition] haven’t broken over the past two and a half years, and there is no line you haven’t crossed. In this debate, both in the House Committee and here too, you have crossed another line, and that is another tier and another stage in the moral and ethical deterioration of Israel’s Knesset. What should be done in light of the very severe suspicions against the candidate—the topic should not be raised for debate, certainly not during the Knesset recess. A word of advice to [MK] Hanoch [Milwidsky], it is correct and proper to suspend the candidacy until the decision in the case. There are a great many people in the public who find this vote difficult to swallow; it’s a shameful debate and a shameful vote.”
MK Naama Lazimi (Labor): “I insist here too on reading the testimonies of the victims. Let each person who is here and voting know what is at issue. You are insisting on appointing a person who is facing an investigation that is only developing in light of the suspicions. You’re insisting on appointing him to one of the most important posts in the Knesset. This is a low point that has not been seen here.”
MK Hamad Amar (Yisrael Beitenu): “Two days ago I participated in the funeral of Capt. Amir Saad, I saw the soldiers weeping there; they went back into [Gaza] to fight that day, and what are we dealing with? There are 50 hostages starving in Gaza, and what are we dealing with? Sometimes you’re ashamed to be a Member of Knesset. I don’t understand what is so urgent about the topic. After all, we’re in recess. We can have several debates here in the Knesset, other people can do this. [MK] Hanoch [Milwidsky], take a step back, give the State Attorney’s Office and the police a month, and if they can’t supply answers within this month, then bring your appointment here to the Knesset.”
MK Orit Farkash Hacohen (Blue and White—National Unity Party): “I hope that MK Milwidsky will be found not guilty, like every other person, but in the morning I saw tours of teenagers here, and not everything [should be done] by the dry letter of the law. In the real world, could a person who is facing suspicions of sexual offenses serve as chair of the tenants’ association, company CEO, a rabbi or rabbinical judge, an IDF officer? No. We’re talking about one of the most important Knesset committees, and the Knesset is supposed to oversee the government. Aren’t we required to appoint a chair who isn’t involved with the police and the Ministry of Justice? What will we do when their budget comes here?”
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