Israel's 'Change Bloc' Eyes Knesset Speaker Post Amidst Political Stalemate

Parties within Israel's "Change Bloc" are reportedly exploring a strategy to replace the current Knesset Speaker even before a new government is formed. This move, aimed at challenging Benjamin Netanyahu's influence, could be the bloc's first joint action amidst the ongoing political deadlock. Representatives from Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beiteinu, and other parties within the bloc have been discussing a unified approach since Wednesday, October 28. The primary focus is on the possibility of changing the speaker when the new Knesset is sworn in, though specific procedural details have not yet been finalized. The role of Knesset Speaker holds significant power over the parliamentary agenda and the advancement of legislation.

The Likud party intends to thwart this initiative, claiming that the "Change Bloc" is aligning with the Joint Arab List to achieve this goal. Concurrently, leaders of the bloc's constituent parties are engaged in separate discussions. Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, announced plans for separate meetings on Thursday, October 29, with leaders of the "Change Bloc," including Yair Lapid and Gadi Eisenkot. Avigdor Lieberman has not responded to inquiries, though his party's representatives are participating in the discussions.

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yesh Atid party, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he was concluding a "long day of meetings" and is focused on "bringing change to Israel and establishing a Zionist call-up government." This statement follows his remarks after the exit poll results were released on the night of October 28. Eisenkot emphasized the public's "distrust" in the current government and the "evasion of enlistment," noting the bloc's historically low vote count. He expressed a sense of responsibility to the "hundreds of thousands of citizens" who believe in Israel and Zionism.

Preliminary election results indicate a continued stalemate, with neither Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc nor the "Change Bloc" securing a majority to form a government. After processing 93% of the votes, Netanyahu's bloc has 53 seats, the "Change Bloc" has 48, and Arab parties hold 19. The final count, including an estimated 430,000 to 480,000 absentee ballots, could alter the distribution. Meanwhile, religious parties like Shas and United Torah Judaism are concerned about being excluded from a future government, especially if a unity government between Likud and Yesh Atid is formed. Shas has seen its representation decrease from 11 seats in the previous election to 7, while United Torah Judaism retains 7 seats. Initially aiming to be kingmakers, their statements have become more cautious, with MK Yitzhak Goldknopf of United Torah Judaism leaving open the possibility of negotiations with various parties, pending rabbinical approval. United Torah Judaism stated they have received no overtures except from Netanyahu's circle regarding coalition retention. Shas, however, has rejected speculation about Arie Deri shifting allegiances, with a party source stating that expectations of his bloc moving closer to Eisenkot are "deeply mistaken."