Cancellation of Commission for Future Generations - Between Politics and Ethics
Ecology and Environment - Journal of Environmental Science and Policy, Volume 3Gil Dror, Adv. June 2012
In 2001, The Commission for Future Generations was established by law and the first Commissioner was appointed. The Knesset Law gave to the Commissioner the authority to impact on bills that under his opinion had a significant impact on future generations.
It seems that factors such as the independence of the Commissioner, the discretion given to him in expressing his opinion and his right to exercise opinions and values, independent of the political system, led to the displeasure of legislators. After the expiration of the first Commissioner's appointment, a second Commissioner was not appointed for four years. Only after the High Court ruled against the illegality of declining to appoint a Commissioner the Knesset decided to abolish the legislation, on grounds of “unjustified budgetary burden”.
The article suggests a new approach in establishment of a practical tool which will aid in legislative processes with an impact on future generations.