Coalition Crisis: The Battle for the Crucial Knesset Committee Begins
Gafni Resigns from Finance Committee Chairmanship
MK Moshe Gafni of the United Torah Judaism party has resigned from his position as Chairman of the Finance Committee. This resignation is part of a broader coalition crisis sparked by disputes over the conscription law. In the wake of Gafni’s departure, both the Likud party and the Religious Zionism party have expressed interest in assuming leadership of the committee. However, Shas has opted not to pursue the position to avoid any conflicts with Gafni, the outgoing chairman.
Knesset Committee Meeting Scheduled
The Knesset Committee is set to convene today (Wednesday) with the aim of selecting a new chairman for the Finance Committee, which Gafni has chaired until now. Efforts by the professional staff within the Knesset to hold a vote on the new chair sostartr were unsuccessful, primarily due to distractions caused by elections for the World Likud yesterday, which occupied the attention of Likud MKs.
Speculation on Permanent Chairman
It remains uncertain if a permanent chairman will be elected for the Finance Committee. While Likud and Religious Zionism are keen on leading the committee, it is possible that an acting chairman will be appointed for the time being.
Additional Resignations in the Knesset
This recent resignation is part of a series of leadership changes within the Knesset. MK Moshe Roth has announced his resignation from the chairmanship of the Ethics Committee, which recently made several significant rulings, including salary deductions for Ahmad Tibi and Ofer Cassif. Additionally, Israel Eichler, who was expected to be appointed Minister of Housing, stepped down from chairing the Labor and Welfare Committee. Yitzhak Pindrus, head of the United Torah Judaism faction, also resigned from the Special Committee for Public Petitions, and MK Yakov Asher resigned from the Interior and Environmental Protection Committee.
These developments highlight the ongoing political turbulence within the Israeli Knesset and the implications of the coalition crisis unfolding within the government