Edelstein takes over as Knesset speaker

Hanin Zoabi tells Channel 2 this will be “a racist” government and protests clauses in the coalition agreements which pledge to strengthen Israel’s Jewish character.

The Knesset is now voting for Edelstein as speaker — 96 in favor. Edelstein comes to the podium. Ben Eliezer wishes him “all the good in the world” and hands over the speaker’s gavel.

Incoming Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein addresses the Knesset plenum Monday (photo credit: Knesset Channel)

Edelstein, a Likud member and former Soviet prisoner of Zion, takes the speaker’s seat. He thanks Ben Eliezer for presiding over the House in the sessions leading up to today’s swearing-in. He modestly says he didn’t prepare a speech — because until he got the vote in his favor, it would have been premature to believe it would be his.

If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.

JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY