Differences of opinion in the coalition regarding the appointment of deputy speakers of the Knesset: The Religious Zionist and Otzma Yehudit parties are opposing the appointment of MK Ahmed Tibi (Hadash-Ta’al) as Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, a position he has held since 2006.
The Likud and the haredi parties, on the other hand, want Tibi to continue in the role for political reasons, and also due to the long-standing "alliance of minorities" between the haredi and Arab parties, reported Daphna Liel of Channel 12 News on Saturday night.
MK Tally Gotliv of the Likud took a different position and called, in an internal group of Likud members, that the party not allow Tibi to serve in the post.
"Dear friends, I am reminding of my appeal not to vote for Ahmed Tibi for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Knesset! The close advisor of the great murderer Arafat who treats us, as right-wingers, with disdain and hatred," Gotliv wrote.
"We came to rule! We came to form a stable and strong right-wing government, not to vote for Ahmed Tibi for the position of deputy speaker of the Knesset," she added.