Opposition seeks to delay passage of bills needed to form govt.

Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar will convene the Ministerial Committee on Legislation tomorrow (Monday) in order to determine the government's position on the bills needed to establish the new government, with the intention of delaying the passage of these bills.

Among the bills is legislation which would allow Shas chairman Aryeh Deri to be appointed as a minister despite his conviction for tax offenses.

"This week, the Knesset is planning to mark the International Day for the Fight against Corruption. And what more appropriate way to do this than through personal hijacking [of the legislative process] by amending a basic law, the entire purpose of which is to evade a second ruling on the issue of the moral turpitude of a designated minister and to lower the bar for serving in the government in terms of purity of character? This is robbery in broad daylight," Sa'ar said.

Earlier, Minister Ze'ev Elkin referred to reports that the opposition is working on a plan aimed at blocking the moves to form the new government. "I am currently preparing the opposition move in the Knesset. I did not say that I am preparing surprises, but that we will use all the parliamentary tools at our disposal." READ MORE