The ministerial committee for legislation has rejected a proposal from MK Nir Barkat (Likud) that would have allowed MKs to forego their salaries either in part or totally, and also to forego other benefits.
Barkat submitted his proposal together with fellow MKs Kathrin Shitrit (Likud) and Michael Malchieli (Shas).
In response to the committee's decision, Barkat said, "It pains me that the ministerial committee has rejected my proposal, one that would have enabled any Knesset member who wished to do so, to forego even a symbolic amount from his salary. The public's faith in its elected officials starts with them serving as personal examples, and this would have given us an opportunity to show solidarity with those who are suffering during these hard times. In any event, I have no intention of drawing a salary, and the Knesset is free to donate it to a worthy cause."