'I'll do everything to fulfill the role properly .' Tibi
צילום: חגי אהרון
Arab MK appointed deputy Knesset speaker
Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) selected to serve as deputy Knesset speaker after Knesset Committee decides to enlarge number of deputies to eight in order to allow representation of Arab sector
Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) was chosen to serve as deputy Knesset speaker for two years.
Tibi was appointed to the role after the Knesset committee decided to enlarge the number of deputies to eight, in order to allow representation of the Arab sector. After two years Tibi will be replaced by a Knesset member from one of the Arab factions.
According the Knesset rules, the Knesset speaker has seven deputies from the large factions. An intervention by Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik brought about the change resulting in representation for the Arab parties through an eighth deputy.
‘Tibi not recommended by Arab factions’
Knesset Committee Chairwoman Ruhama Avraham adopted the proposal.
The atmosphere in the committee room was tense Wednesday morning after every Arab faction demanded the role for itself. Coalition sources said the National Democratic Assembly and Hadash attempted to torpedo the appointment of Tibi to the role and demand it for themselves.
Knesset Member Mohammad Barakeh (Hadash) said: "Knesset Member Tibi has been appointed according to a recommendation by the coalition chairman, not by the Arab factions."
Tibi told Ynet in response: "I'm happy. I'll do everything to fulfill the role properly and successfully."
