The State Comptroller and Ombudsman, retired judge Micha Lindenstrauss, will launch an inquiry into the matter of MK Nachman Shai's pension from the IDF.
The decision comes after the Movement for Quality in Government (MQG) filed complaints with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Comptroller Lindenstrauss, demanding to know why the rookie Kadima MK is receiving the pension alongside his Knesset salary, although he did not serve enough time in the military to be eligible for it.
Shai served as Commander of the IDF Radio station, and then as IDF Spokesman during the Gulf War in 1991, for a total of three years and one month. This period was less than the eight years required for one to receive a life-long pension. The army, however, put him on “unpaid vacation” status for the next four years and eleven months, after which he officially retired from the army – and began receiving his monthly pension checks.
The IDF Spokesman said that soldiers who serve in the IDF's professional standing army (tzva keva) have the option of 'purchasing' a period of leave that then is counted for the purpose of receiving a pension. MK Shai's leave arrangement was approved by the authorized elements in the IDF, the Spokesman said.