The Organizing Committee
How will the Likud pacify discontent MKs? Why, by giving them a few new committees, over the objections of the chairperson of the Knesset
On the heels of the recent government crisis, a new plan has been announced to help solidify Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s grasp on both the Coalition and Opposition. This time it is the work of Coalition Chairperson David Bitan (Likud), who has declared the erection of four new committees that will join the existing 16. The bounty will be split equally, with two committees going to the Coalition and two to the Opposition. This way, Netanyahu will be able to carry out the agreement he just signed with Yisrael Beytenu while strengthening his influence on the Opposition.
Netanyahu recently found himself in a bind with some of his own party members, which is something that the newly-announced committees may help alleviate. This could be true in the case of MK Oren Hazan, who in the future will likely have to part with his position as deputy chairperson of the Knesset. This, however, may not come as a huge blow to him, as Hazan was never allowed to actually oversee the General Assembly meetings, due to Chairperson of the Knesset and Likud MK Yuli Edelstein's refusal. Another frustrated MK is Miki Zohar (Likud), who almost resigned after being passed over during the last round of position nominations.
In order to make the new committee nominations seem as stately as possible, Bitan announced that the Opposition will also get two committees, though it is yet unclear as to what these committees will be dealing with. Indeed, some speculate that the two committees’ main goals will be to provide MKs from the Opposition with cushy new positions, something that Bitan vehemently denied. According to him, all four committees will be set up to address issues that currently do not receive enough attention in the Knesset.
The move ignited turmoil within the Coalition, with Knesset Chairperson Edelstein criticizing Coalition Chairperson Bitan for his plan. Bitan responded by giving an interview to the Knesset Channel, where he called Edelstein “a self-righteous hypocrite. When I spoke to him he didn’t say a word against the initiative, apart from stating that he had opposed it in the past, but that this time he will be willing to consider it.”
Bitan, who is seen as a rising star within the Likud Party, did not hold back. “I will not have anyone telling me one thing and then issuing a press release saying something else. I find this unacceptable and a declaration of war.” Bitan continued by saying that “He can call out ‘No’ as much as he likes. If I decide on ‘Yes,’ that’s what it will be.”
Later on, though, Bitan issued an apology and a retraction. “I spoke to the chairperson of the Knesset and told him how I felt about this. Unfortunately, we don’t see eye to eye. I recant my previous statements on the matter.”
Until all the in-party bickering will be settled, the Knesset has gone ahead and extended MK Hazan’s tenure as deputy for another year. Chairperson Edelstein expressed his dissatisfaction with the move, but to no avail; Hazan holds in his hand a signed agreement from the Likud Party that guarantees him his deputy position for two years.
