The deal is complete: MK Yitzhak Goldknopf of United Torah Judaism was elected this evening (Wednesday) to the committee as the Knesset representative on the Committee for the Selection of Judges.
25 Knesset members voted in favor of his candidacy, compared to 8 who opposed it. 35 voted in the process. 33 valid votes, 2 invalid.
The selection process took place against the backdrop of MK Israel Eichler's resignation from the committee due to his appointment as Deputy Minister of Communications.
The vote was held secretly in the Knesset plenum.
Previously, MK Michael Malchieli of Shas, MK Limor Son Har Melech of Otzma Yehudit, and MK Moshe Solomon of Religious Zionism withdrew their candidacies for the position of Knesset representative - and MK Goldknopf was the only one left in the race.
The Shas faction announced this morning: "At a time when the world of Torah is being cruelly persecuted and in light of the many additional challenges, unity of Haredi Judaism is now needed on the issues of the dormitory law and the Basic Law on Torah Study and the kashrut reform. We cannot give in to the divisions that are being led by various elements in Haredi Judaism.".
""Great is peace, and there is no vessel that holds a blessing but peace, and therefore we are removing the candidacy of MK Michael Malchieli from the committee for the appointment of judges.".
Son Har Melech and Solomon decided to withdraw their candidacies because they had no chance of being elected.
From a practical perspective, the composition of the committee also has no immediate significance. Since the committee for appointing judges is not expected to convene until after the elections.
