Likud’s Bitan says he won’t vote to end ban on racist MKs, makes concessions to allies

[ad_1]

Likud MK David Bitan said on Saturday he opposes ending the ban on overtly racist lawmakers from the Knesset and would not vote in support, while criticizing Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu for having made too many concessions to far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies. in coalition talks.

Far-right Otzma Yehudit said on Thursday that Netanyahu had agreed to his demand to pass legislation that would remove the clause from Israel’s quasi-constitutional Basic Law: the Knesset stipulating that those who incite racism are disqualified from running for parliament .

“We have fought for years against anti-Semitism and racism around the world, so what kind of message are we sending if we agree to give up [the ban]said Bitan on Channel 12’s ‘Meet the Press’.

“Of course, I will oppose it. Everyone must oppose it. They don’t think about the future, only about forming a government,” Bitan said.

He did not go so far as to say that he would vote against such a bill, explaining that he would be absent during such a vote.

Receive the daily edition of The Times of Israel by email and never miss our best articles

By registering, you agree to the terms

In addition, the lawmaker complained that his party ceded too many high-level cabinet positions to its planned coalition partners in the negotiations, and said that important roles still in Likud’s hands had been cut. .

Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu is surrounded by lawmakers after a vote for the new Knesset speaker on December 13, 2022. Bottom right is Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Likud agreed, as part of the coalition talks, to disband the authorities of various key ministries to allow other coalition parties greater power, including expanding the Interior Ministry’s roles for Shas and from the Ministry of Public Security for Otzma Yehudit; giving some aspects of the education portfolio to Shas and anti-LGBT Noam; and the removal of the Ministry of Defense’s authority over civil affairs and construction in the West Bank, ceding the issue to religious Zionism.

Bitan, who is indicted on multiple corruption charges and cannot be a minister, said he would agree to chair the Knesset’s Economic Affairs Committee.

“I don’t think there’s anything else to take,” he said.

The MP also addressed fears that the new government would push forward a potentially anti-liberal political agenda: “I don’t believe it will all happen. »

“We have seen this story many times. Some parts came to life and some didn’t. There are also developments around the world and in Israel that affect the end result. There will also be international pressure,” he said.

Some of the clauses and plans of the emerging agreements between Likud and its partners include setting the death penalty for terrorists, promoting the annexation of the West Bank, allowing possible anti-LGBT discrimination, and possibility of public events separated by sex.

..!!!..!! pic.twitter.com/w6SfOG3Kx3

— (@qSS9awt7YJBS3sa) December 24, 2022

Also on Saturday, about a thousand people demonstrated against the new government and its expected policies in the northern coastal city of Haifa.

The Quality Government Movement and other protest groups have called on Israelis to demonstrate against “dangerous legislation advanced by the Designated Criminal Government.”

Former Defense Minister and former Likud MK Moshe Ya’alon, who was present at the rally, called the new government “a well-oiled poison machine, with criminal elements and harmful to democracy.” The fight here is not about right or left, but about honesty or corruption.

Netanyahu announced Wednesday evening that he had successfully formed a coalition with Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionism, Noam and his longtime ultra-Orthodox partners Shas and UTJ, which won 64 seats in the 120-seat Knesset in the elections of November.

However, the full coalition agreements have not yet been signed by the parties, and several issues remain unresolved.

You are a dedicated reader

We’re really glad you’ve read the X Times of Israel articles over the past month.

That’s why we started The Times of Israel ten years ago – to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.

So now we have a request. Unlike other media, we don’t have a paywall in place. But because the journalism we do is expensive, we invite readers to whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel community.

For just $6 a month, you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to members of the Times of Israel community.

Thank you, David Horovitz, founding editor of The Times of Israel

Join our community Join our community Already a member? Log in to stop seeing this

[ad_2]