MKs should donate their frequent flyer miles to lone soldiers and children seeking medical care abroad, MK Danny Danon (Likud) suggested on Sunday.
Members of Knesset may not use air miles from flights they did not pay for, such as state-sponsored trips abroad, or missions funded by NGOs.
Danon plans to open a Knesset frequent flyer account with El Al that would help lone soldiers visit their families and sick children fly abroad for treatment. He estimates that tens of thousands of air miles will be donated each year.
"As a public figure with diplomatic ties to parliaments around the world, flights are a part of my job," the Likud MK explained. "The frequent flier mile potential of various missions abroad is huge, and it is unrealized."
Danon says he has discussed the initiative with El Al Director-General Eliezer Shkedi, who enthusiastically supported it, saying that El Al is an Israeli company with a role in Israeli society.
Shkedi told Danon that he believes giving the miles to soldiers and sick children is important and a good cause, and that it is logical and correct to take advantage of unused miles in this way.
El Al is currently examining Danon's initiative and its technicalities, before giving it a final authorization.