Arab Bloc leader MK Ayman Odeh is planning to become contender to head the opposition in Knesset in the event Machane Tzioni leader Yitzchak Herzog signs an agreement to enter the coalition government. Odeh explains that if Machane Tzioni splits and only some of the party enters the coalition, he will likely be the head of the largest opposition party as the Arab Bloc has 13 seats. Hence, he feels he should serve as opposition leader since the position is traditionally given to the largest opposition party.

Should Odeh become opposition leader, he will become one of the ‘seven state symbols’ and this compels 24/7 Shin Bet security, an armored vehicle, and monthly security briefings with the Prime Minister.

Odeh told the media “Herzog did not even try to run an opposition to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s extremist coalition and became a blind shadow to Netanyahu. I still believe the entry of Machane Tzioni into the coalition is a major error that will simply strengthen Netanyahu”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)