Knesset Speaker: members of Knesset will fly Israeli airlines only

members of Knesset can prefer Israeli airlines even if their fares were higher, compared to those of Alitalia or to any other foreign airline
 
Following the decision made earlier this month by the Ministry of Finance accountant general Dr. Yaron Zalika who awarded the franchise for flying state employees to the Italian national air carrier Alitalia, in place of El Al, Knesset Speaker Mrs. Dalia Itzik decided last week that members of Knesset and Knesset employees, will fly only on Israeli flag airlines on formal missions overseas.
 
The decision was made public by the Knesset Director General Avi Balashnikov who reported Itzik's decision to the joint parliamentary budget committee. The committee was deliberating on his proposal to cut the parliamentary budget by NIS 9.3 million, or 11.5% of the Knesset budget, in line with the across-the-board budget cuts declared by the Ministry of Finance.
 
It is understood that members of Knesset can prefer Israeli airlines even if their fares were higher, compared to those of Alitalia or to any other foreign airline.
 
Balashnikov also stressed that the decision was made in order to prefer Israeli flag airlines which maintain Israel's international aviation ties during times of war and peace.
 
The decision made by the Ministry of Finance accountant general was strongly attacked by Israel Tourist & Travel Agents Association arguing that the decision not only didn't make any economic sense and would waste public money, but was also "insensitive to feelings of the public."
 
In a letter sent to Israel's Prime Minister Mr. Ulmert, El Al Chairman, Prof. Israel Borovich, strongly criticized the decision arguing that Israel's government was short sighted and lost its self respect. He added that the fact that these savings which were predicted by the ministry of finance will cause in the long run economic damage and harm the reputation of the local company whose pilots serve as reservists in the Israeli Air Force and whose salaries are paid in shekels.
 
Borovich signed off his letter noting that he believed that the Alitalia selection was not made with the PM knowledge and asked the PM to make sure that such shortsighted step would not cause long term economic damage and harm a company which is vital to the Israeli economy in time of war and peace.