Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin said this morning he most probably would not try to block a government initiative to propose legislation for compensation payments to Yesha residents uprooted from their homes.
Israeli media reports of today stated that Rivlin was considering using his authorities to delay such a vote. He explained to Army Radio today, "The government or 25 MKs can ask me to convene a special mid-recess session, but I can decide what will be discussed there." Rivlin, who openly opposes the disengagement, said that this doesn't mean he is against providing compensation to residents who may be uprooted: "Heaven forbid that I would want them not to receive compensation," he said. "But it is not fair to ask MKs who oppose the disengagement to vote on compensation even before the Cabinet approves the disengagement."
Rivlin then appeared to make an about-face in the interview: "Although many feel that the Cabinet has not yet approved the disengagement, but rather approved it only in principle with a final vote scheduled for March, I now believe that this is not the case. I think the Cabinet did in fact approve the disengagement. My legal advisors will review this issue, but if I am correct, then I don't believe it would be fair for me to hold up compensation legislation on this matter. Therefore if the government asks for a vote on this topic in next week's special session, I will not withhold my agreement."
Rivlin then made another mini-reversal, saying that the Cabinet only has until this afternoon to make such a request, "and I believe that this will not be enough time, as the legal aspects of the proposed legislation are not yet ready."
Israeli media reports of today stated that Rivlin was considering using his authorities to delay such a vote. He explained to Army Radio today, "The government or 25 MKs can ask me to convene a special mid-recess session, but I can decide what will be discussed there." Rivlin, who openly opposes the disengagement, said that this doesn't mean he is against providing compensation to residents who may be uprooted: "Heaven forbid that I would want them not to receive compensation," he said. "But it is not fair to ask MKs who oppose the disengagement to vote on compensation even before the Cabinet approves the disengagement."
Rivlin then appeared to make an about-face in the interview: "Although many feel that the Cabinet has not yet approved the disengagement, but rather approved it only in principle with a final vote scheduled for March, I now believe that this is not the case. I think the Cabinet did in fact approve the disengagement. My legal advisors will review this issue, but if I am correct, then I don't believe it would be fair for me to hold up compensation legislation on this matter. Therefore if the government asks for a vote on this topic in next week's special session, I will not withhold my agreement."
Rivlin then made another mini-reversal, saying that the Cabinet only has until this afternoon to make such a request, "and I believe that this will not be enough time, as the legal aspects of the proposed legislation are not yet ready."