Far-right Opposes Tibi as Deputy Speaker

The far-right and Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit parties want to keep Hadash-Ta’al MK Ahmad Tibi away from the role of deputy Knesset speaker, a position he has held since 2006 until 2022, Channel 12 news reported.

MK Ahmad Tibi, deputy Knesset speaker, October 2022 (Photo: Knesset)

The network, citing sources in Religious Zionism and the chief of Otzma Yehudit, Itamar Ben Gvir, said both parties oppose re-appointing Tibi as deputy speaker in the new Knesset, accusing him of being a “terror supporter.”

In addition, Likud MK Tali Gottlieb circulated a letter on Sunday demanding that Tibi not be given the position. In the letter, Gottlieb accused Tibi of “undermining our existence and the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.”

She accepted the High Court’s ruling that Tibi could serve as a member of Knesset, but wrote that he should not be given any other “awards.” She accused Tibi of exhibiting “disrespectful” and even “degrading” behavior over the past year and a half, but did not give examples.

Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=28517