The 2013 Knesset record for spending on "communication with the public" is held by MK Avraham Michaeli of Shas, at NIS 71,908. The breakdown of his budget shows NIS 2,190 for a beeper service subscription, NIS 3,018 for telecommunications, NIS 1,688 for Internet, NIS 9,790 for three computers, and NIS 1,244 for office equipment.
The figures come from the 2013 budgets for communication with the public for each member of Knesset released today. The budget consists of a basic budget, and supplements for an external parliamentary office, additional posts held, length of service during the year, transfer of unused budget amounts from the previous year (except when a new Knesset is formed), and other items. No member of Knesset exceeded his or her budget.
Besides Michaeli, high on the list is MK Amnon Cohen of Shas, with NIS 64,549 (NIS 4,099 on telecommunications, NIS 4,078 on newspapers, NIS 2,504 on office equipment, and NIS 13,367 on computer maintenance).
Leader of the Opposition MK Isaac Herzog also scores high, with NIS 63,320 (NIS 5,109 on printing and advertising, NIS 6,198 on telecommunications, and NIS 5,191 on an Internet site and social networks).
MK Hanna Swaid of Hadash spent NIS 64,253 on communication with the public (NIS 1,290 on light refreshments, NIS 5,900 on an Internet site and social networks, NIS 8,579 on two computers, and NIS 1,075 on office equipment).
On the lower end, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spent NIS 1,137 on communication with the public (all of it on an Internet subscription), and Minister of Finance Yair Lapid spent NIS 875 (on office equipment). Minister of the Economy Naftali Bennett spent NIS 7,955, mainly on two computers.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 6, 2014
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