02-08-2025
Likud claims Milwidsky investigation ‘witchhunt' led by A-G, MKs' call to prevent appointment
The Likud statement claimed that the reasoning for opening the investigation against Milwidsky was largely due to this timing.
The next steps necessary to officially appoint MK Hanoch Milwidsky as the chairperson of the Knesset's Finance Committee on Tuesday remain in place, despite requests of MKs to hold off on the appointment amid an investigation opened against him into sexual misconduct and obstruction of justice.
The Likud party slammed the decision to open an investigation into sexual offenses against Milwidsky, of the same party, on Sunday, calling it 'an unrestrained witch hunt led by the attorney general against Israel.'
Milwidsky was summoned for questioning at the police Lahav 433 unit on Friday for suspicion of obstructing justice and sexual misconduct charges, which include rape and witness tampering. While there have been reports of women testifying against him, Milwidsky has rejected all accusations.
MK Pnina Tameno-Shete, head of the Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality, sent a letter on Saturday night to prevent Milwidsky's appointment due to the investigations against him.
'Someone who is under the heavy shadow of suspicion and disgrace regarding allegations of rape cannot serve in one of the most powerful and influential roles in the Knesset and in the country,' the letter read.
'So long as these suspicions have not been disproven, any such appointment is unacceptable,' the letter continued.
The opening of the investigation against Milwidsky came two days after the Likud chose him to be the chairperson of the Knesset's Finance Committee.
The Likud statement claimed that the reasoning for opening the investigation against Milwidsky was largely due to this timing.
'It is clear to everyone that the timing [of the investigation] is no coincidence and is driven by improper political motives,' the Likud statement read.
The statement also emphasized that the investigation was an example of Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara's attempts to 'obstruct the work of the government in every possible way and launch wild investigations against coalition members' since the government announced its intention to dismiss her. A cabinet meeting for her dismissal has been set for next week on Tuesday (August 4).
Although Milwidsky was appointed by Likud, he still must go through two more stages before he can officially take on the position. Both are expected to take place this week on Tuesday (July 29).
The stages require that Milwidsky first be officially recommended by the Knesset's House Committee. Once this occurs, a subsequent vote by the Finance Committee itself is expected, which would provide final approval for Milwidsky's appointment.
There is not expected to be a change in the plans to go ahead with the process on Tuesday, an MK and another source from the Likud both told The Jerusalem Post.
Although the Knesset's summer recess began on Sunday, committees continue to meet during the break, also allowing the process to continue.
Milwidsky initially was the leading contender to be the chairperson of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee last week. However, ahead of the vote, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu selected Milwidsky to temporarily fill the position of chairperson for the Finance Committee instead.
The position is temporary for Milwidsky because it would be returned to United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni in the event that Gafni rejoins the coalition after recently leaving.
Gafni left the coalition because of the fallout in the negotiations regarding the haredi bill that is expected to exempt a large number of ultra-Orthodox men from IDF service.
This fallout is also the reason why the position of chairperson of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee became vacant.
Tameno-Shete and MK Naama Lazimi of The Democrats party further called for Milwidsky's appointment to be put on hold at the start of a Sunday Knesset committee meeting they held on the topic of the numerous testimonies against organized ritual sexual abuse, along with the response of state authorities.
Tameno-Shete emphasized that there 'must be no favouritism' toward Knesset members concerning investigations against them—meaning that until proven innocent, Milwidsky should not be appointed.
'The Israeli Knesset must send a very, very clear message that anyone who is suspected of and being investigated for such serious and grave offenses—sexual offenses, extortion, obstruction of justice, investigation, or however one chooses to label it—should not be given a powerful role or appointment, to put it plainly,' Tameno-Shete stated.
Knesset's Finance Committee is 'very powerful'
Tameno-Shete further underscored that the Knesset's Finance Committee is 'very powerful' and that the dignity of the Knesset and the public's trust should not be damaged by taking him on for such a role until his innocence is proven.
In a later interview, Tameno-Shete said that she was 'appalled' by the allegations she had heard against Milwidsky.
Lazimi stated in the opening remarks of the committee meeting that 'there is no way the Knesset can ignore' the investigations.
'It is very bothersome that not one person from the coalition said anything regarding this matter,' she added.
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