The Knesset's Arrangements Committee on Monday set up three temporary parliamentary committees as it awaits the new government, giving the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Finance Committee, and the Committee for Arab Affairs the green light.
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The committees approved are temporary – pending the formation of a coalition – but in many cases, the plenum votes their makeup as permanent once the government is established.
As per the Arrangements Committee's decision, United Torah Judaism leader Moshe Gafni will serve as head of the Finance Committee – a role he has held in the outgoing government. Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas will head the Committee for Arab Affairs, and Yesh Atid MK Orna Barbivay will head the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Barbivay, a retired major general and the first woman in the IDF's history to make the military's second-highest rank, thus became the first female lawmaker to head FADC, which oversees key foreign and defense issues including legislation in areas of defense, emergency readiness and military mobilization, oversight of the Shin Bet security agency, home front deployment, and other security and intelligence related tasks.
As such, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee is parliament's most powerful body.
In a statement issued after her appointment Barbivay said, "National security is not just about the ability to ensure state security, but a combination of governance, foreign relations, economy and social cohesion.
"Given the political chaos, it is important to observe the proper oversight of the processes led by the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. I take the challenges that Israel faces every day very seriously and I intend to work hard to meet the great responsibility entrusted to me.
"The committee will convene as soon as possible for a comprehensive situation assessment, and its priorities will be set accordingly," she said.
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid congratulated Barbivay, saying he was "proud of her."
"The experience and quality she brings to the table are very important these days. I have no doubt that under her stewardship, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee will act responsibly and professionally to ensure the public's safety."
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