The Knesset Finance Committee, headed by MK Hanoch Milbitsky, today (Tuesday) prevented Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern from participating in a discussion on the compensation outline.
Stern requested to join the meeting remotely, via Zoom - and was refused by the committee, claiming that "the manner of participation in the meeting is physical only.".
""They refuse to let the bombed-out mayor go on Zoom to discuss the state of business in the city. Apparently someone is afraid to hear my criticism, or is trying with all their might to keep me away from the city," the mayor wrote on Facebook. "I'm not moving from Kiryat Shmona, you won't escape the criticism.".
The chairman of the Finance Committee, MK Hanoch Milbitsky, responded: "The current discussion deals with formulating a national compensation plan for all business owners in Israel, and does not focus only on the north. It is important to clarify that the authorities in the north benefit from a designated and beneficial plan, built in accordance with the unique characteristics and severe damage in the region.
""This is the first of a series of discussions we will hold on the subject, with the goal of reaching a precise, applicable and effective outline. Holding a large meeting with dozens of participants on Zoom does not allow for a professional and in-depth discussion, and therefore the discussions are held only face-to-face.".
""At the same time, any head of authority who wishes to participate in the discussion, whether by physically arriving or through a representative on their behalf, is invited to do so. Our hearts are with the residents of the north. We see, hear and understand the magnitude of the challenge and the difficulty on the ground. I will soon be touring the north together with my friend, the chairman of the Interior Committee, MK Kreuzer, to take a closer look at the gaps.".
