The 49 new members of Knesset gathered at the parliament building on Monday for orientation ahead of Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony, which will be held as part of the inaugural session of the 21st Knesset.
 
The orientation was organized and hosted by Knesset Secretary Yardena Meller-Horowitz, who presented the wide range of parliamentary tools at the Knesset members’ disposal, including bills, motions for the agenda, one-minute speeches, and more.
 
During the seminar, Speaker of the Knesset Yuli-Yoel Edelstein (Likud) mentioned to the new lawmakers that 5,977 bills had been submitted during the outgoing Knesset, but only 4% of them became laws after passing all of the necessary readings. Speaker Edelstein urged the new MKs to legislate, but also to “see the big picture” and consider whether the bills they plan to submit have a realistic chance of being passed and whether they justify all the resources and taxpayers’ money that are spent on trying to advance them.
 
“Let us begin this Knesset with internal censorship of sorts and only submit bills which have a chance of advancing,” Speaker Edelstein said, while calling on the new MKs to take part in the Knesset’s supervision over the government.
 
“This is not a matter of coalition or opposition – it is the job of all of those who are here to monitor the government’s work at all times,” he said.
 
Speaker Edelstein also encouraged the new MKs to take an active role in the Knesset’s international activities, noting parliament’s numerous diplomatic accomplishments.
 
Knesset Director Albert Sakharovich mentioned that "In the past few months we have been working day and night so that the Knesset building, with all its facilities, will be ready for you and will assist you in fulfilling your public mission.”
 
Attorney Eyal Yinon, the Knesset’s legal advisor, informed the new MKs that they will be asked to attend a separate seminar on legislation and the rights and duties of Knesset members. The seminar will focus on immunity, the Ethics Law, declarations of capital, and other related topics.
 
The director of the Knesset’s Information Division, Shmulik Hizkiya, and Knesset Spokesperson Shmulik Dahan also gave presentations during the orientation.