From the Liveblog of
Monday, November 11, 2024
Smotrich announces MK Ohad Tal as new Knesset chair for Religious Zionism faction
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Religious Zionism chairman Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announces that MK Ohad Tal will replace Simcha Rothman as manager of the party’s Knesset faction due to Rothman’s “heavy load” as chairman of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee.
“I would like to thank MK Simcha Rothman for two years of intense and successful activity in his dual role, both as chairman of the Constitution Committee, one of the most demanding positions in the Israeli Knesset, and as my righthand man in the position of chairman of the Religious Zionist faction in the Knesset. MK Rothman filled the position in a stormy and challenging time and I am grateful to him for that,” writes Smotrich in a statement.
“MK Ohad Tal will replace him in the management of the faction in the second half of the term and I am confident that he will do so professionally, with dedication and in cooperation with the members of the entire faction and with all the factions of the coalition,” he adds.
“The State of Israel faces great challenges, but also historic opportunities,” says Tal. “In the future, I will work with my colleagues to lead the faction forward so that we continue to influence the state’s leadership.”
New Hope lawmaker Mishel Buskila is also tapped as his party’s faction chairman, replacing Ze’ev Elkin, who was recently appointed a minister in the Finance Ministry.
