Tensions Rise in Likud Over Support for Otzma Yehudit as S’on Har-Melech Set to Assume Deputy Speaker Role
Upcoming Appointment of S’on Har-Melech
The Likud party is facing mounting pressure as members prepare for a critical vote in the Knesset’s Committee on the appointment of S’on Har-Melech from the Otzma Yehudit party to the position of Deputy Speaker. This follows the resignation of MK Moshe Roth from the United Torah Judaism party. The Knesset Committee has notified its members to attend a meeting scheduled for tomorrow, May 26, 2025, at 12:00 PM, emphasizing the need for a quorum to proceed with the appointment.
In a letter submitted to the Knesset Chair earlier this month, Roth stated, “According to the agreement between the parties and the coalition agreement, I hereby announce my resignation from the position of Deputy Speaker of the Knesset. It has been an honor for me to serve in this role thus far.”
Legislative Developments and Controversies
The Knesset recently approved Har-Melech’s proposed legislation aimed at facilitating advanced degree programs for students in the Haredi and religious sectors. This critical move is designed to eliminate barriers that previously prevented these students from pursuing higher education in gender-segregated environments. The bill passed its first reading in the Knesset with a significant majority of 48 votes in favor and 40 against.
Critics of the legislation argue that it could lead to discrimination against women by creating a framework that permits institutions to operate on gender-segregated lines without mandating it. Har-Melech’s defense of the bill centers on the idea of balancing the values of higher education with the individual’s right to live according to their beliefs and lifestyles.
Conclusion
As the vote on Har-Melech’s appointment draws closer, the political implications for the Likud party and the coalition at large remain significant. The alignment of support for Otzma Yehudit and the successful passing of the proposed legislation could reshape the dynamics within the Knesset, intensifying the ongoing debates surrounding education and gender in Israel.
The evolving political landscape continues to highlight the intersections of faith, education, and governance, with Har-Melech’s role poised to impact future legislative discussions