Arab MK: 'Tibi not worthy of representing us'

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Arab MKs from rival parties were upset about the appointment of MK Ahmed Tibi (UAL) as one of eight Deputy Speakers and argued on Wednesday that they should have taken part in electing the MK to fill the role. "Knesset Member Tibi has been appointed according to a recommendation by the coalition chairman, not by the Arab factions," said MK Mohammad Barakeh (Hadash). "In my opinion he is not worthy of representing the Arab population." Normally, there are seven deputy speakers, but following complaints that there were not enough Arab MKs appointed to government posts, Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik intervened and appointed Tibi to be an eighth deputy. Tibi will serve for a period of two years at the post and then be replaced.