Knesset Forms Key Committees Ahead of Government Formation

The Knesset's Arrangements Committee was established on Wednesday, paving the way for the formation of temporary Finance and Foreign Affairs and Defense committees. These temporary committees will operate until a new government is formed, after which permanent committees will be established. The establishment of the Arrangements Committee itself was approved by a vote of 63 to 50.

MK Avigdor Lieberman will chair the temporary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Its members will include Boaz Bismut, Yaakov Bardugo, Ofir Katz, and Elisha Medan from Likud; Ram Ben Barak and Keren Turner from the "Change Bloc" (Bayit Yehudi); Yair Golan from the Democrats; Yoav Segalovitz from Ra'am; Limor Son Har Melech from Otzma Yehudit; Elimelk Shtark from United Torah Judaism; Yinon Azulai from Shas; and Simcha Rothman from the Religious Zionism party.

The Finance Committee, tasked with overseeing the state budget and approving budgetary changes, will include Yaakov Bardugo, David Peter, Talik Goyali, and Eti Attia from Likud; Liran Avishar and Noam Tibon from the "Change Bloc"; Ahmad Tibi and another member to be announced from the Joint List; Naama Lazimi from the Democrats; Iman Khatib Yassin from Ra'am; Hamad Amar from Yisrael Beiteinu; Yitzhak Kroizer from Otzma Yehudit; Yinon Azulai from Shas; and Tzviya Mor from the Religious Zionism party.

MK Roi Folkman from the New Hope party heads the Arrangements Committee, which is responsible for organizing the Knesset's work and establishing temporary committees while no government is in place. The decision to form these temporary committees comes one day after the 26th Knesset was sworn in.

The Likud party reacted sharply to the cooperation with Arab parties, stating, "It has begun. We call on you, come to unity. Cease the cooperation with supporters of terrorism who boycott the national anthem."