Knesset members criticize coalition

The Knesset held a heated session on Wednesday ahead of Kadima chairman Shaul Mofaz's induction as a Coalition member. Ministers taking to the podium such as MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer of the Labor party leveled harsh criticism at Netanyahu and Mofaz for keeping the move of their coalition a secret. Mofaz will become a minister sans portfolio as part of the coalition agreement signed between Likud and Kadima on Monday night, in a controversial move meant to avoid general elections in September. The move -- kept secret until after the agreement was signed -- created an unprecedented coalition numbering 92 Knesset members. It also left the Opposition virtually powerless, as it now lacks the ability to raise the necessary 40 MK signatures for a nonconfidence vote. Labor Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich will head the Opposition for the duration of the Knesset's term.