Bereaved families urge MK Kahana not to rely on Arab party votes for speaker bid

Nearly 200 bereaved families sent a letter to MK Matan Kahana ahead of the Knesset speaker vote, urging him not to accept the position with support from Arab parties, which they accuse of refusing to condemn Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.

Nearly 200 bereaved families and families of victims of hostilities appealed Sunday to MK Matan Kahana in a letter calling on him not to be elected as Knesset Speaker with the votes of the Arab parties. The letter was sent ahead of the expected vote on Tuesday, following the agreement of the heads of the Change Bloc on Kahana's candidacy for the position instead of Amir Ohana. The families address Kahana against the backdrop of his military service as a fighter, pilot, and reserve officer, and argue that precisely because of his security background they expect him not to rely on the votes of Arab MKs. The letter states that the Arab parties refuse to recognize Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, and that some members express understanding and support for the actions of terrorist organizations. The families warn that political cooperation with those who do not condemn terrorist organizations is a grave public and moral message. The vote was set for Tuesday at 4:00 PM, after 67 MKs signed the request, including members of the Joint List and Ra'am.