Eisenkot Bloc Eyes Knesset Speaker Post, Seeks Arab Party Support

A bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot is reportedly planning to replace the current Knesset Speaker with the support of Arab parties. The Yashar party-led bloc is considering this move against the Knesset Speaker, who represents the Likud party. This initiative comes amid ongoing vote counting and uncertainty surrounding the formation of a new Israeli government. According to Channel 12, the issue of replacing the Knesset Speaker is already under discussion, though a final decision on his successor has not yet been made. Potential candidates for the speaker position include Oded Forer of the Yisrael Beiteinu party and Elazar Stern from the Yashar party.

Preliminary results show Netanyahu's bloc securing 54 Knesset seats, while Eisenkot's bloc has 49. The Arab parties hold an additional 17 seats. A potential alliance between Eisenkot's bloc and the Arab parties could give opponents of Netanyahu the support of 66 lawmakers, potentially forming a majority coalition. Yair Golan, leader of the Democratic Party of Israel, has previously advocated for an alliance with Arab parties to form an alternative government, stating that opponents of Netanyahu possess enough mandates. Golan argued that the election results indicate a defeat for the incumbent prime minister, emphasizing that 65 parliamentary seats are more than the 55 held by Netanyahu's potential coalition.

Golan also urged the opposition to overcome differences and prejudices regarding cooperation with Arab parties, asserting that Israel cannot progress without addressing racism and national division. He suggested that Netanyahu exploits divisions between the Jewish and Arab populations to strengthen his political position. Furthermore, Golan raised concerns about ultra-Orthodox parties within Netanyahu's camp, who oppose mandatory military conscription and hold 16 seats. He questioned their claim to be defenders of Zionist values while Israeli soldiers are engaged in combat and casualties occur.