A new law went into effect this week that protects Israeli airline passengers against flight delays – and holds airlines responsible for them.

The law, proposed by MK Ahmed Tibi, mandates that airlines and travel agencies must compensate travelers for changing flights times. To-date, companies could move up or delay departures without having to compensate travelers under Israeli law, a practice that has drawn the ire of Israeli consumers.

The new Tibi-sponsored law gives travelers the legal right to demand reimbursement for things like missed connecting flights, as well as a refund of the original ticket price.

"This is a very important law that makes it not financially worthwhile to delay flights,” Saleit Koler, legal adviser at the Israel Consumer Council, told The Marker. "We hope that now consumers won't need to get compensation, but rather that organizers will understand it doesn't pay to let flights be delayed. This is good news for consumers, and we hope it'll minimize this very common phenomenon."

Tibi’s law is not only a coup for consumers, it may also help him appeal to Israelis on the political front after a controversy last month. In July, Tibi, an Arab-Israeli legislator who is part of the Ta’al party, ripped up a picture of extremist rabbi Meir Kahane. He received death threats as a result.