In response to public criticism over Israel's early termination of daylight savings (summer) time last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed coalition whip MK Zeev Elkin (Likud) to promote the daylight savings bill in the Knesset. He made the announcement at today's meeting of Likud ministers. The Knesset passed the bill in its first reading, but it has been stuck in committee ever since.
In a statement, Minister of Interior Eli Yishai said, "Minister of Interior Eli Yishai has adopted the recommendations of the daylights savings committee's recommendation to extend daylight savings in Israel and to set fixed dates for it in the year. However, the Knesset Interior Affairs Committee has not yet completed its discussions on the bill."
Shas, which Yishai heads, blames Meretz for the delay in approving the daylights savings bill, saying that the delay serves Meretz's campaign against Shas.
At the start of today's cabinet meeting, Minister of Culture and Sports Limor Livnat spoke out against the early ending of daylights savings, saying, "I cannot understand the argument to shorten daylight savings. There is no justification or reason. It wastes energy and electricity, and we should change this. Daylight savings should last at least through November."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 23, 2012
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