MK Stern Slams Knesset Speaker Ohana in Resignation Letter

Member of Knesset (MK) Elazar Stern used his resignation letter to launch a scathing critique of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, accusing him of undermining the separation of powers and deepening national division. Stern, who resigned after leaving the Yesh Atid party to join Gadi Eisenkot's "Yisrael" party, alleged that Ohana has transformed the Knesset into a political tool serving the government, thereby eroding its oversight capabilities.

"You have effectively canceled the separation of powers in the State of Israel," Stern wrote. "You turned the Knesset into a branch that is part of the government, and almost completely eliminated its ability to supervise the government's work. You turned the Knesset into a trampled authority by the government."

Stern further accused Ohana of using his position to harm the justice system and foster divisive discourse. "You turned the Speaker's chair into a chair concerned with incitement, division, and antagonism instead of unity and statehood," he stated. "There is no doubt that the way you managed the Knesset has also contributed to the severe rift into which the people of Israel have been dragged."

The exchange follows Stern's earlier statement in an interview that he intended to run for Knesset Speaker if Gadi Eisenkot formed the next government. Ohana responded sharply, calling Stern's letter a "preposterous manifesto" by a "party-hopping opportunist" whose sole aim is media coverage for election propaganda. Ohana added that the letter deserved the same treatment Stern allegedly gave to complaints of sexual harassment in his former role as head of the Manpower Directorate, implying it should be discarded.