BREAKING NEWS

Openly gay MK Ohana not offended by haredi MKs absence during his swearing in

By JPOST.COM STAFF

DECEMBER 29, 2015 08:08

Updated: DECEMBER 29, 2015 08:30

MK Amir Ohana, the first openly gay lawmaker from the Likud, said he was not offended when he heard Haredi MKs decided not to be present during his swearing in speech at the Knesset on Monday.

"During my swearing in speech I didn't even notice that the MKs were absent. After, when I heard they were not present, I thought that with regard to the issue of LGBT rights, it would be wonderful if their absence would continue," Ohana told Army Radio on Tuesday morning.

With regard to the absence of the haredi lawmakers, the MKs were not present for two hours preceding Ohana's swearing, as they decided not to be present for a coalition no-confidence vote, so whether they intentionally did not attend the inaugural speech is disputed.

Ohana enters the Knesset following former MK Silvan Shalom's resignation from politics earlier this month amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

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