Opposition Bloc Seeks to Oust Knesset Speaker Before Government Formation
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Opposition leaders are negotiating to oust Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana before government formation, requiring Arab party support. The move, based on a Supreme Court ruling, aims to control the legislative agenda. Prime Minister Netanyahu's bloc has 53 seats, the opposition 48, with Arab parties holding the balance of power. President Herzog called for avoiding new elections and will begin consultations after receiving final results.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Opposition leaders are negotiating to remove Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana before government formation.
- The move requires 61 Knesset members, placing Arab parties in a decisive position.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu's bloc has 53 seats, while the opposition has 48 seats.
- Arab parties, with 19 seats, hold the balance of power in the potential vote.
- President Herzog urged leaders to avoid further elections and begin consultations.
Leaders of the "Change Bloc" are reportedly in intensive negotiations to remove the current Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, even before a new government is formed. This unprecedented parliamentary move requires the support of 61 Knesset members and places Arab parties in a decisive position. The bloc's leaders, Gadi Eisenkot of "Yashar!", Naftali Bennett of "Beiteinu", and Avigdor Lieberman of "Yisrael Beiteinu", are coordinating strategic moves aimed at replacing Ohana. The legal basis for this action relies on a 2020 Supreme Court ruling that mandates a vote for a new Knesset Speaker if 61 members demand it, even prior to government establishment. Control over the legislative agenda makes the Speaker's role a critical strategic asset.
The "Change Bloc" faces a significant hurdle in securing the necessary votes. Based on preliminary results, Netanyahu's bloc has secured 53 seats, while the "Change Bloc" has 48. The Arab parties, including the Joint List (12 seats) and Ra'am (7 seats), hold the balance of power with 19 seats. Ahmad Tibi, leader of Ta'al, stated that the Joint List will vote to oust Ohana and support the opposition's candidate for Speaker.
Sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are preparing a counter-campaign, intending to question the legitimacy of a move reliant on Arab party support. While Netanyahu has not directly commented, senior Likud officials have voiced strong opposition to depending on "Arab votes."
Beyond the immediate parliamentary maneuver, Eisenkot, Bennett, and Lieberman are exploring the formation of a coordinated bloc to act as a unified front against the Likud in coalition negotiations. This strategy aims to increase their bargaining power and potentially diminish the influence of smaller parties like Otzma Yehudit and the ultra-Orthodox parties. They are cautiously considering whether to include Yair Golan's "HaDemokratim" party, fearing it might negatively impact the bloc's center-right image.
President Isaac Herzog urged party leaders to do everything possible to avoid further elections, emphasizing the need for political responsibility and an open mind. He is set to receive the final election results next week from the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, after which he will begin consultations with party leaders.
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