Feiglin Named Deputy Knesset Speaker

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu surprised many Likud followers Monday by naming his long-time nemesis Moshe Feiglin as of one several Deputy Knesset Speakers. The Knesset elected Knesset Member Yuri Edelstein as Speaker, replacing Reuven Rivlin.

Feiglin heads the Jewish Leadership faction that for years has been trying to become the dominant influence in the Likud party, and he has brought a large number of residents of Judea and Samaria into the Likud party even though they often voted for other partiers in the genera elections.

The presence of pro-Feiglin supporters within the Likud has enabled him in the past to win sufficient support to be placed high enough on the list of Knesset candidates likely to be elected.

Prime Minister Netanyahu moved him out of the high rankings in the elections four years ago by a political maneuver, but this time around, Feiglin cut a deal with Likud veteran MK Yisrael Katz that catapulted Feiglin on the roster and assured him a seat.