MK Biton Says He Will Not Vote With Coalition Anymore

More trouble faces the coalition, after MK Michael Biton (Blue and White) announced on Wednesday that he would no longer vote with the coalition, except for no-confidence votes.

His announcement comes as a result of conflict around a public transport reform which the Economy Committee said was planned secretly behind its back.

Biton, who heads the Knesset Economics Committee, said he would not convene his committee to protest reforms in public transportation.

“What pains me is the harm to the poor. We have swallowed our pride. Now people will say that it’s political and that it’s personal persecution, but in the end, in Ofakim, Beit Shean, Teveria, Mitzpe Ramon, Kiryat Shmona and Sderot — the price of public transportation has risen by 130%. Nothing else has increased in price that way. And you want to conceal this from the public? Did you think it would pass quietly? Not on our watch,” Biton said.

Cabinet secretary Shalom Shlomo is trying to mediate between Biton and Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli.

Michaeli has been rejecting Biton’s demands for months.

Biton is a former mayor of the development town Yerucham. His demands involve helping people who live in periphery communities.