While Arab MKs backed a bill by MK (Yesh Atid) Yael German regarding public transportation on Shabbos, MK Ahmed Tibi is quoted telling Ladaat News he and his colleagues will vote with the chareidim when it comes to a new draft law.

The opposition made efforts this week to embarrass the coalition and almost succeeded when one of the laws was a public transportation on Shabbos, where the gap stood at only three MKs after a MK from Kulanu supported the opposition bill despite coalition discipline. Among the opposition members backing the Shabbos transportation legislation were Arab MKs who voted in favor of the bill even though it harms the chareidi tzibur and was opposed by chareidi lawmakers.

MK Tibi said that the Arab MKs would oppose a draft law, and when asked if this is so because the Arab lawmakers oppose the bill, he explained this was not the case but their opposition to the bill stems from respecting the understandings they reached in the past with the chareidi MKs. Regarding their support for public transportation on Shabbos, Tibi explained such an understanding was reached with the chareidim on the matter.

The Arab MKs reached an understanding regarding the draft law as the chareidim promised the Muezzin Bill was not going to pass because the chareidim would oppose it. The bill was aimed at imposing restrictions on the use of the muezzin in mosques, which the Arab MKs found objectionable. Gafne promised to prevent the law from passing in exchange for their backing the chareidim when it comes to legislation pertaining to IDF service.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)