The new Israeli government narrowly lost a vote in the Knesset this evening and cried foul. The measure on foreign currency control, introduced by Finance Minister Yeshayahu Rabinowitz, was defeated 43-40. Deputy Speaker Pinhas Scheinman, of the National Religious Party, refused Labor demands for a recount which led to an uproar in the House.
Moshe Wertman, chairman of the government coalition faction in the Knesset said it was unprecedented in Israel’s parliamentary history for the Speaker to refuse a recount. But Scheinman, an MK only since the last elections, remained adamant.
The government had the support of the Aguda bloc MKs who were present but was still unable to muster a majority on the first reading. Labor re-enforcements were summoned who would have reversed the vote–but to no avail.
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