Stormy session forecast in Knesset
JERUSALEM — Two retired generals, two former models, a sheik, a homosexual, a young Arab woman, and a former member of a Jewish terrorist organization are among the 31 new faces that will be sworn into Israel’s 18th parliament Tuesday.
“It will be stormier than previous Knessets,” said Shahar Ilan, Knesset correspondent for Israel’s daily Haaretz. “More young people, less professors and more radical right-wingers means more rough clashes with the Arab MKs [members of the Knesset].”
No government has yet been formed because Likud Party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu has not convinced Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni to join his right-wing coalition. If Ms. Livni sticks to her guns, Israel is headed for a hard right-wing government with a large opposition and a narrow government.
Israeli parliamentary sessions are already infamous for yelling and name-calling, particularly between its right-wing and its Arab members.
It is not uncommon for Knesset members to be escorted out of the plenary hall by guards. And that is more likely in this Knesset, which has a majority of right-wing MKs.