United Torah Judaism Rejects Knesset Speaker Vote Before Government Formation
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
United Torah Judaism refused to vote on a new Knesset speaker before a government is formed, citing potential conflicts. Meanwhile, reports reveal secret coalition talks involving Yisrael Beiteinu and United Torah Judaism on issues like yeshiva student conscription. Yisrael Beiteinu's leader, Avigdor Lieberman, also stated his opposition to repealing judicial laws before other parliamentary priorities are addressed, drawing criticism from the opposition.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism rejected a proposal to replace the Knesset speaker before government formation.
- A senior Shas official stated they had no instructions to cooperate with the speaker change.
- Secret coalition talks reportedly involve Yisrael Beiteinu and United Torah Judaism on core issues.
- Discussions include a potential reversal on yeshiva student conscription and halting draft dodger arrests.
- Avigdor Lieberman opposes repealing judicial laws before other Knesset priorities are addressed.
The United Torah Judaism party on Monday rejected a proposal from the Yisrael Beiteinu party to replace the Knesset speaker during the opening session. The party argued that the change should occur concurrently with government formation, not just the Knesset's establishment, to prevent an "absurd situation" where the speaker opposes the incoming government. A senior Shas party official stated they had not received instructions to cooperate with the speaker replacement.
This comes amid reports of unprecedented agreements and secret coalition talks. A dramatic deal between Yisrael Beiteinu's chairman and United Torah Judaism leaders aims to bring the ultra-Orthodox party into the "change bloc" in exchange for significant concessions on core issues. Discussions reportedly include a complete reversal of policy regarding the conscription of yeshiva students, with an immediate law to halt arrests of draft dodgers and a special committee to re-examine military and civilian service for all populations.
Meanwhile, Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, announced his opposition to the incoming Knesset repealing judicial overhaul laws enacted by the outgoing government. He stated that the focus should be on replacing the Knesset speaker, limiting the prime minister's term, and appointing a state comptroller, with other matters to follow. Opposition bloc officials criticized Lieberman, accusing him of obstructing their election promises and not cooperating.
Lieberman responded to the criticism, calling it "a witch hunt of stupidity and malice." He reiterated his stance that the new Knesset must prioritize replacing the speaker, appointing a comptroller, enacting a term limits law for the prime minister, and only then repealing the judicial overhaul laws, calling anyone with a different priority list an "idiot."
