Last week, Deputy Minister Yaakov Litzman announced his unwillingness to resign from Knesset to make room for Yaakov Asher of Degel Hatorah. Being that the coalition has a one-seat majority, any opposition to the law within the coalition would topple it.  As reported, a minimum of 61 votes is required since accepting the so-called Norwegian Law compels amending the Basic Law and a simple majority of those present for the vote is insufficient, but a majority of the 120 lawmakers is compelled.

The cabinet on Sunday, 3 Menachem Av voted to accept the law. Bayit Yehudi leader Education Minister Naftali Bennett announced Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked would resign from Knesset to permit the return of Shuli Muallem, who did not earn a seat in the 20th Knesset because Bayit Yehudi only earned eight seats.

The Degel faction wants either Deputy Minister Meir Porush or Yaakov Litzman to resign as MKs to permit Yaakov Asher to enter Knesset. Both have signaled they are unwilling to do so. Hence it remains to be seen in Yaakov Asher will return to Knesset, even if the law is enacted.

Throwing a wrench in the opposition from Agudas Yisrael, the Yisrael Beitenu opposition party is indicating it will back the law with its six seats, making Agudas Yisrael’s opposition meaningless since the faction has only four of the six Yahadut Hatorah seats.

Some believe that Yaakov Litzman’s strong opposition to Moshe Leon, the Yisrael Beitenu candidate in the last Jerusalem mayoral race, is the reason for Yisrael Beitenu deciding to back the law, to undermine Litzman’s position.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)