Minister of Interior Eli Yishai had proposed that, in light of the increasing protests in the name of social justice, the Knesset shorten it's summer vacation schedule. After that, Opposition Leader Tzippi Livni joined the calls for shortening the summer recess.

The issue was voted upon yesterday in the presidential committee, and was voted down. Because it was voted down, it will not be debated and voted upon in the Knesset. The whole discussion was pointless, as why would the Knesset ever vote to shorten their own vacation, no matter how necessary it might be? Just like they will never vote to lower their own salaries or benefits, or even just to freeze wage increases. Such votes and decisions need to be controlled by external committees made up of professionals.

In the lead-up to the vote, different parties mentioned their stance on the issue of the shortening of the summer recess. I found the position put forth by UTJ to be particularly interesting. Instead of discussing the merits, or lack thereof, of the issue, that it would be risky for the government coalition, that it would look bad or disconnected to go on vacation, or one of the other reasons for or against, they turned it into a religious issue.

One MK from UTJ told Ladaat that UTJ will oppose the shortening of the summer recess. The reasons is, according to this unnamed MK from UTJ, is because the Chazon Ish believed that the less days the Knesset worked the better.

Instead of just saying we want more vacation, or shortening vacation wont help, or whatever, it has to be a religious issue. The Chazon Ish on vacation. They didn't even say they asked Rav Elyashiv whether it was a good idea or a bad idea.