Meeting with reporters yesterday to mark the beginning of the summer recess, Rivlin listed the reasons for the Knesset's deterioration: "The behavior of the MKs themselves; the police investigation into the double-votings by some MKs; worsened relations between the coalition and opposition, and between some MKs themselves."
Tuli Pikarsh of HaTzofeh reports that Rivlin said that he has started to impose a new standard of behavior in the Knesset plenum. "For instance," he said, "an MK will not speak out or interrupt another MK's speech unless he is seated. I will teach them how to be polite." He said that statistics showing that "88% of the public are not satisfied with the Knesset, and that 55% have no confidence in the Knesset, etc. cannot be ignored. If they don't internalize the fact that it's dependent on us ourselves, then we'll have to start using a tougher hand."
"In the first few months, I made sure not to 'call to order' those MKs who disturbed," Rivlin said, "but of late I have been calling those to order who do not behave properly." He also said that he plans to clamp down on lobbyists in the plenum, reduce the visits of MK-aides to the plenum, and even do something about the over-abundance of television cameras in the building.
The Speaker said a new custom would begin during the upcoming winter session: "The Prime Minister and all his ministers will appear for a special meeting once or twice, and will answer questions on subjects chosen in advance - though the questions will not be submitted to them beforehand."
Tuli Pikarsh of HaTzofeh reports that Rivlin said that he has started to impose a new standard of behavior in the Knesset plenum. "For instance," he said, "an MK will not speak out or interrupt another MK's speech unless he is seated. I will teach them how to be polite." He said that statistics showing that "88% of the public are not satisfied with the Knesset, and that 55% have no confidence in the Knesset, etc. cannot be ignored. If they don't internalize the fact that it's dependent on us ourselves, then we'll have to start using a tougher hand."
"In the first few months, I made sure not to 'call to order' those MKs who disturbed," Rivlin said, "but of late I have been calling those to order who do not behave properly." He also said that he plans to clamp down on lobbyists in the plenum, reduce the visits of MK-aides to the plenum, and even do something about the over-abundance of television cameras in the building.
The Speaker said a new custom would begin during the upcoming winter session: "The Prime Minister and all his ministers will appear for a special meeting once or twice, and will answer questions on subjects chosen in advance - though the questions will not be submitted to them beforehand."