Labor MK Ophir Pines-Paz was elected chairman of the Knesset Interior and Environment Committee on Monday, only three months after resigning as culture, science, and sport minister in protest of the addition of Yisrael Beiteinu to the government.

Pines-Paz will take over for fellow Labor MK Ghaleb Majadele, who was appointed the first Israeli Arab minister last week.

Labor MKs Nadia Hilou and Orit Noked, who had intended to run against Pines-Paz, withdrew their candidacy for the position.

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Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told a Kadima Knesset faction meeting on Monday that Olmert will decide who to nominate as justice minister by Tuesday morning.