For the War: The Special Exemption Given Knesset Members

The Knesset's Ethics Committee published a decision setting a new precedent and allowing Knesset members to actively work to collect donations for residents and public organizations, after many MKs asked to be able to enlist in the war effort.

In a statement published for MKs, the Committee said: "In general, the stance of the Ethics Committee, as well as the Knesset's Legal Advisor, is that Knesset Members must avoid calling for donations to specific organizations, even when it comes to organizations operating on a non-profit basis."

"Despite this, in this time, temporarily and for the duration of the war, the committee approves MKs to act to aid both through appeals and connecting residents in need of equipment, groceries, and the like with (only) public associations or organizations, and in connecting donors with public associations and organizations."

"(We approve) all this, so long as the associations to which MKs direct donors commit themselves to manage the donation money separately from their normal and ongoing needs and with complete transparency as to the distribution of donations."

"Furthermore, it should be made clear that in accordance with the ethics rules, MKs may volunteer to aid activity of a public character without compensation, while preserving the honor of the Knesset and avoiding the possibility of a conflict of interest."