The Knesset's Ethics Committee examined Knesset Members' attendance records for the summer session and found that four of the 120 MKs missed more than the quota of days that they are allowed to miss, barring circumstances beyond their control such as health reasons, etc. The committee decided to dock the Knesset Members' pay in accordance with the number of days they missed beyond their quota.
Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer was present at 15 sittings and missed 23 – four more than he was allowed. His excuse for the days missed was that he was on professional tours and went abroad several times as part of his job. The committee noted that the law allows ministers to miss half of the Knesset sessions, but that they must not miss more, official business notwithstanding. It decided to dock four days' pay from his paycheck.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak was present at 13 sittings and missed 25 – six more than he was allowed. He was docked six days' pay. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was present at 17 sittings and missed 21. The committee accepted his excuse, that as Foreign Minister he needs to be abroad more than other MKs and did not fine him.
MK Said Nafaa was present at 19 sittings and missed 19 – six more than he is allowed as a non-minister. His excuse was that he went abroad to give lectures but the committee did not accept it. Because this was not the first time that Nafaa missed more than his quota of sittings, the committee docked him nine days' pay.