Bitan given Economic Committee chair as unhappy MKs stew

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appoints Likud MK David Bitan head of the Knesset Economics Committee, but has yet to head off a simmering rebellion by unsatisfied coalition lawmakers.

Bitan, a former coalition whip on trial for allegedly taking bribes, got the nod despite being harshly critical of Netanyahu’s handling of negotiations over the past month.

Meanwhile, three lawmakers passed over for sweetheart ministry postings or other high-profile parliamentary assignments are signaling that they won’t go quietly. Likud’s May Golan and David Amsalem and Almog Cohen of Otzma Yehudit are skipping Knesset activities Wednesday.

Both Likud MKs say they don’t feel well. Cohen earlier said his disappearance was due to the decision to end tax breaks for residents of some cities in the Beersheba area.

According to the Ynet news site, Golan was offered the Economics Committee post but turned it down, claiming it was owed to Bitan,

Golan and Cohen were earlier promised a slot as one of four deputy ministers in the Prime Minister’s Office, until it turned out that only two are allowed by law.

Golan’s “only expectation is that [Netanyahu] will stand by his promise given her to appoint her as a government minister,” a source close to the lawmaker says.