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Opposition Bloc Secures Majority in Its First Knesset Vote, Yashar MK to Head Key Committee
On Wednesday, the Knesset plenum approved the Arrangements Committee's composition with 63 votes in favor and 50 against, establishing a 22-member panel to organize parliamentary work.
MK Roy Folkman of Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party will chair the committee, demonstrating the opposition bloc's ability to secure a majority following recent elections, contrasting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's alliance.
Folkman's approved plan allocates seats at a ratio of one committee member for every five lawmakers, differing from a failed competing proposal submitted by Coalition whip Ofir Katz for an 18-member committee.
Accusing the opposition of cooperating with Arab parties, Likud lawmaker Katz criticized the outcome, claiming his rejected plan was "a fair proposal" to conceal cooperation with "supporters of terrorism in the Knesset."
The panel began deliberations Wednesday afternoon to finalize the composition of standing committees; until these are established, the Arrangements Committee will manage parliamentary procedures and may appoint temporary deputy speakers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc suffered its first parliamentary defeat in the new Knesset, as opposition and Arab parties today secured a majority to establish the Committee for the Organization of Parliamentary Work.
Following a heated debate between the various Members, the Committee on the Organisation of Parliamentary Work began to approve the appointments to lead the standing committees. (ANSA)