Invitation to the reception in honor of the Knesset's birthday on Tu Bishvat, 1985

Knesset Speaker Shlomo Hillel:

Members of the Knesset, in the discussion ahead of us the Knesset will discuss itself. Throughout the year, the Knesset – in the line of its duty – criticizes the government and the national institutions. In the upcoming discussion, held shortly before the Knesset’s birthday, it is a appropriate and necessary that we criticize ourselves.

It is symbolic that the 15th of Shvat was set as the Knesset’s birthday. The New Year of the Trees is connected with acknowledgment of bloom and blossom, and there are no symbols that are more fit to express the essence of this house. Indeed, we must look persistently at the construction of our young democracy and look at it as a process of grooming a tender plant, in need of a caring and responsible hand.

I am afraid this plant has been suffering in recent years from several natural and human disasters. Weeds are growing beside it and a portion of its fertilizers and water are being taken from it. The results are visible. There is no escape from the feeling that the plant is slightly withered, and its leaves are spotted, signaling the beginning of a certain disease.

Unfortunately, recent years have shown significant erosion in the democracy in Israel and its elected institutions – mostly, but not entirely, among the younger generation. Even those who abstain from recent polls cannot ignore the harsh questions referred by the public towards its elected representatives. I have met in recent months with thousands of teenagers and youth, and I can attest that they are embarrassed and greatly pondering as to the essence and functions of the Knesset. Some of this feeling arises from lack of knowledge and understanding, some from excess expectations, which are often utopian, and some, I am sorry to say, from true faults that were created in our democratic being.

When I speak about lack of knowledge and understanding, I am referring to the fact that the public, and especially the young public, does not see democracy as a way of living and a valued concept that is unanimously accepted. They try and judge it by a criterion of so called efficiency. I often sense the growing willingness of many to take shortcuts and the yearning for a strong man that will bring quick and sound solutions. This is, of course, a mistaken grasp of the democratic procedure, which requires, in its essence, to use all the levels of examination and inspection before decisions and laws are accepted, and even afterwards.

It is an objective problem of perception, and we must deal with it through education and publicity – the great importance of a thorough discussion, argument, and inspection. For all that, in an age of great exposure before the media, in which the exceptional and unique are prominent, it is hard, and sometimes it may seem impossible, to properly emphasize the quiet and dedicated work.

I believe that we will exaggerate to invest all of our resources in the improvement of education, propaganda and the media coverage of the Knesset. The gap between the representatives and the public is partially in our hands. We require the public to have a democratic understanding, and detail its benefits as a system in which the people can elect their representatives and even replace them. The pubic I meet with asks, in return: Does it really have influence over the election of Knesset members, and not just over their parties? Is the democracy that we preach for really found in the basic core of our politics?

This question has direct influence over the level of identification the public feels towards its representatives, its willingness to accept them for good and for bad, for they elected them and they have the power to replace them. I am familiar with my people and the political parties around me, and I am aware that the current situation is not a creation of bad will or a twisted perception, but it is a process that has been created by the political development in Israel, and it is in a stage of amendment and improvement. Nonetheless, when we face such a delicate and gentle situation of the democratic life in Israel, we must try and think in an unconventional manner and speed-up procedures supported by the majority.

I encounter many complaints of citizens that the authority and the representatives in Israel do not serve as an inspirational role model. That is, of course, a generalization that is comprised of stereotypes, that are partially created by the media and partially by impossible expectations. Even so, vox populi vox dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God), and there are fields that we must look at and examine ways to amend them.

One of the main arguments is against the privileges of the representatives. I am one of those who believe that each benefit and privilege should be examined in accordance with current times and the harsh economic situation that we are going through. The Knesset has therefore made cutbacks in several areas, such as the status of different services given to members of the Knesset. I wish I could say that all state authorities took these measures, and maybe it is even time that the Knesset demand so.

Nevertheless, I believe that Knesset members are worthy of adequate conditions, so they can properly fulfill their job. The answer to this issue lies with raising the level of functioning, and not by lowering the level of conditions. I must admit that I am often unpopular when meeting the public, as I try to protect a large portion of the Knesset members’ privileges. It is with great difficulty that I answer the question: What is done with Knesset members who do not fulfill their jobs faithfully and are not worthy of the benefits and privileges given to them? The logical answer that I make use of is that if one thinks that a Knesset member does not fulfill his duties properly, he should not elect him for another term. And here, of course, rises the question I referred to before: Can the citizen, or even a party member, affect the election of the Knesset members themselves? Why, they are interdependent.

Members of the Knesset, all of us must maintain a proper means of discussion in the Knesset and ensure that it is done from the dais, or by interjections, which I respect; and I still hear the echo of Yosef Haim Brenner’s call in the Histadrut’s council for the right to cry out. The right to cry out is interpreted amongst us as the right for an interjection, but we must still pay careful attention to the way the Knesset operates and the way of displaying the problems of the Knesset. This is also a question of basic norms, which we are obligated and expected to follow.

We all witnessed, following the latest exhibit of the posters, that the pushing and shoving that evolved there were covered by the media and created a poor image on every television set. The twisted impression created that day was that the Knesset is busy with publicity stunts and outrageous pretentiousness, and all the serious and thorough work that was accomplished that day in the plenum and committees has been completely forgotten. We can, of course, blame the television for selective coverage, but did we really not intend somehow to bring this situation upon ourselves?

How can we face the young and the elder and preach to them regarding civilized manners when this is the example we set for them? How can we praise democracy when the public image is that of Knesset members exchanging shoves and curses? The Knesset should not be dragged into a culture of protests, and if it is then it would be best to move its sittings to the Kings of Israel Square.

Another subject that is worthy to discuss is the quality of the Knesset’s work. Upon my taking the position of Speaker, I have asked to examine the fate of the conclusions presented by the committees of the Tenth Knesset. I have found that of 128 resolutions, only 50 were responded to by the ministers. The Knesset Rules of Procedure determined that the minister in charge will respond within six months. Even worse, it appears that some of the responses were partial or intermediate. This is a severe situation report.

There are just claims regarding the current Knesset Rules of Procedure on all that concerns the authority of the committees and the tools provided to them. These are just claims that need to be dealt with, but there is no agreement regarding the situation in which the authority that was given to the committees was not fully followed. In the future we will present the responses of the ministers before the Knesset members, including the remarks of the committee chairperson and my own remarks, if necessary.

The problem of attendance in the plenum and the committees was brought up for discussion many times before, and it seems to the point of overkill. I am not one of those who believe that the efficiency and glory of a Knesset member is measured by his hours of attendance in the plenum. However, I do believe that we have reached an extreme, a situation in which a great number of Knesset members are too little involved in subjects that are being discussed in the plenum and the committees. Since this subject of an “empty plenum” has become a public myth on the quality of the work of the Knesset – it requires a renewed examination and a personal examination of the Knesset members of themselves. I am not a fan of administrative steps to be taken, as accepted in some of the democratic and developed countries, as I believe the members of the Knesset are public messengers who are obligated in reporting to their public of electors and to them only. Nevertheless, I am positive that this matter has become a criterion, and it causes erosion of the image of the Knesset, and even hurts the status of each individual Knesset member.

The subject of Knesset members’ ethics occupies us and the public deeply. I am happy to inform that in accordance with the Rules of Procedure I have recently appointed an Ethics Committee. It has just begun its work and is yet to determine its work procedures. However, it is faced with many subjects – some general, concerning standards and the setting of norms of behavior and problems of contradicting interests, and some specific complaints on certain Knesset members. I believe that the work of the committee will allow us to provide practical answers and help in cleansing the atmosphere.

Members of the Knesset, I have said that public relations is not the essence of it all. I did say, however, that the Knesset should take a more active part in the strengthening of democracy, due to the bad spirits that are blowing its way. Therefore, in accordance with the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Information Center, we launched this week of the Knesset’s birthday as a week of intensive public relations activity in the Knesset. There will be daily seminars for teachers of civics and for representatives of schoolchildren from across the country to discuss the significance and importance of democracy. Tomorrow we will host a group of some 120 soldiers, chosen by the IDF from various units. We will meet with them and invite them for a luncheon with Knesset members. These groups of teachers, students and youth are the public whose attention is sought out by our young democracy. It is a constant challenge that we are required to overcome in practice, in personal example and in speech.

I have raised several issues for thought and reaction, and I hope that the developing discussion will raise further ideas that will promote our joint mission – the strengthening of democracy and improving the image of the Knesset in the eyes of the public.

At the end of today’s discussion, at 19:00, we will hold a reception in the lounge and raise a toast for the Knesset’s birthday, and I hereby invite all Knesset members and the guests to join us in our celebration. I invite our colleagues, members of former Knessets, to follow this discussion. I would like to welcome them with special greetings and thanks for coming to be with us today.

As a part of the Knesset’s birthday we will start from now on to hold the distribution ceremony of the Knesset Speaker’s Prize for the Quality of Life, and make it as an expression of the Knesset’s appreciation to those who contribute to improving our quality of life. Today’s reception will be opened by the distribution of the awards, and I hope that you will grace us with your presence.