On Monday afternoon, 12 Iyar 5773 at 16:00, the summer session of the new Knesset gets underway. The new Knesset accompanies harsh realities for the chareidi parties, who are now counted among the opposition MKs, no longer the powerbrokers in control of many ministries and Knesset committees.
The new Knesset includes a stronger opposition, which will present no less than seven no-confidence motions during the first session. The motions will however be defeated by the coalition majority of 68.
Chareidi MKs from Shas and Yahadut Hatorah promise to be a fierce opposition, battling efforts to pass the new state budget and of course, the new laws that will determine the criteria of the chareidi draft. Chareidi lawmakers also expect the new government to make significant painful cuts for lower income families, cuts in yeshiva funding and other areas, along with monthly child allowance cuts, which chas v’sholom will exacerbate an already difficult life for too many chareidi families.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein told the media he respects and expects the opposition to do its part but he will exhibit zero tolerance for “stunts” as were seen in the past; such as the use of air freshener or bringing containers of cottage cheese. Edelstein stated he will stand firm to protect and maintain the honor of Knesset. “I will not hesitate to personally file a complaint against MKs with the Ethics Committee” he added. “At this point, I do not identify any of the new MKs as being a trouble maker”.
He added that for him, as speaker, it is unacceptable for a cabinet minister to absent himself when s/he must respond to challenges pertaining to his/her ministry. He added that he called on Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon not to follow the example of his predecessor.
By all accounts it promises to be a hot summer in Knesset as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yair Lapid are hard pressed to pass the state budget in a timely fashion.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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always interested in following leadership of israel and the forces within as they coalesce and swirl and the intrigue of jewish leadership..
i trust that this goal currently for the forseeable future within the framework existing is behind all minds