With only one day of voting on legislation, MKs have already managed to propose nearly 1,000 private member bills.

The 19th Knesset has barely started passing laws, with only one day of voting on legislation so far, but its members managed to propose nearly 1,000 private bills before it adjourned for its Passover recess last week.

“Private member bills” are legislation proposed by an MK or party, but not by the government or a ministry. Only about six percent of such bills pass, and due to their large amount, it often takes months for them to reach the Knesset after being brought to a ministerial committee for a legislation vote.

Meanwhile, the Knesset’s other function – as part of the checks and balances on the executive branch of government – suffers, as lawmakers spend all their time on legislation. Continue Reading