In past administrations, the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee numbered 17 members but today, in the new expanded Netanyahu cabinet, the prestigious committee numbers 34 MKs.
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A number of veteran members of the prestigious forum feel the inflated number of members will compromise the committee�s ability to continue operating as a watchdog of the nation�s security and defense establishments. It is possible that truly sensitive matters will not be brought before the greater committee, but will be addressed by the significantly smaller subcommittee.
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The committee will convene for its first session on Tuesday, during which time Chief of Military Intelligence Major-General Amos Yadlin will brief members on a number of pertinent matters. The committee will this week also elect the chair of the subcommittee which addresses classified matters including intelligence and security issues.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)