Does MK Yisrael Eichler intend to resign immediately from his membership on the committee to appoint dayanim? According to rumor spreading on Wednesday, he does indeed, in line with the agreement.

However, an investigation reveals that nothing has been renewed since Monday, when an unofficial battle between Agudas Yisrael and Degel Hatorah began. These factions comprise Yahadut Hatorah.

From Eichler’s perspective, there is no change. The question remains if the Degel Hatorah faction is going to adhere to the rotation agreement and give the post of deputy Knesset Speaker to Eichler. He will resign from the committee to appoint dayanim to clear the slot for a Shas party official, MK Yoav Ben-Tzur.

The coalition agreement calls for Eichler to step down from the dayanim appointment committee. At the same time, MK Yitzchak Vaknin of Shas will step down as a deputy Knesset Speaker, a slot that will be given to Eichler. Eichler’s slot on the appointment committee will go to Shas’ Yoav Ben-Tzur as mentioned above.

The problem is Degel faction’s MK Yaakov Asher is also interested in becoming a deputy Knesset Speaker. Degel is remaining silent, at least publicly, but the word is the litvish faction is getting ready to go head-to-head with Eichler. Degel claims that Agudas Yisrael is acting too selfishly and trying to control too many positions [despite the fact the litvish faction signed on the rotation agreement].

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)