Rivlin Latest to Volunteer Salary Cut

President Reuven Rivlin has requested a 10 percent cut in his salary, following a decision of government ministers and Knesset members to do so in a show of solidarity with Israelis who are currently suffering economic hardship due to the pandemic lockdowns.

A letter sent by Director-General of Beit HaNasi Harel Tubi to the minister of finance and the cabinet secretary on Tuesday reads: “I am writing to you following yesterday’s government’s decision, in light of the economic situation because of the coronavirus pandemic, to freeze the raise in salaries of members of Knesset, ministers and the prime minister, and to reduce their current wages by 10%.

“On behalf of the President of the State of Israel, I request that you extend the arrangement in the memorandum of law relating to the aforementioned government decision, and apply the freeze in raise and the reduction to the salary of the President of the State.”

The voluntary pay cut, initiated by Finance Minister Yisrael Katz, drew warm support from the coalition, some of whom suggested that it be expanded to 20 percent, and that members of the judiciary should be invited to participate. No responses from the judges has been reported.