Netanyahu Seeks to Thwart Opposition's Knesset Power Grab

The political camp opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, led by the leader of the opposing camp, is considering appointing Yair Lapid as the next Knesset Speaker. This move could grant the opposition control over the parliamentary agenda, enabling them to advance legislation contrary to the current government's policies, even without forming an alternative government. In response, Netanyahu is reportedly launching a campaign to undermine his opponents' efforts by targeting Arab parties and warning against their cooperation with the opposition. Both camps are awaiting the final vote count to determine their next steps.

The the leader of the opposing camp camp is exploring the nomination of Lapid for Speaker within two weeks, aiming to leverage the post-election power balance. Lapid, who holds the second position on Naftali Bennett's Bayit Yehudi list, is not vying for the premiership but maintains good relations with most opposition leaders. Other potential candidates for Speaker include Oded Forer of Yisrael Beiteinu, Elazar Stern and Orrit Farkash of Yesh Atid, and Efrat Reiten of the Democratic party. Opposition circles believe Arab parties' demands for supporting Lapid's Speakership would be primarily declarative, potentially facilitating the move. If successful, the opposition plans to investigate the failures of October 7, 2023, and repeal laws associated with Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan.

These developments occur amidst preliminary results showing the Likud with 26 seats, Yesh Atid with 21, and Bayit Yehudi and the Joint List each with 12. Netanyahu's bloc has secured 53 seats, the leader of the opposing camp's bloc 48, and the two Arab lists 19.

Sources in the Likud told Haaretz that Netanyahu initiated a campaign on Wednesday, expected to last weeks, to pressure the leader of the opposing camp's camp and prevent them from moving against him, whether to form a government with Arab party support or to seize control of the Knesset. The campaign aims to link opposition leaders with Arab parties to obstruct parliamentary understandings. The Likud has also accused Arab parties of election fraud, claiming without evidence that "elections in Israel were stolen by Arab parties supporting terrorism." The party is reportedly seeking testimonies of vote-buying within the Arab community and had previously invested millions in monitoring Arab voting to prepare a case for alleged fraud.

Netanyahu reportedly fears the opposition's ability to wield parliamentary power even if they cannot form a government. This possibility could be strengthened if President Isaac Herzog tasks the leader of the opposing camp with forming a government, potentially enabling his bloc to control Knesset committees and elect a new Speaker. Meanwhile, senior officials in the leader of the opposing camp's camp described their situation as "blind" due to the ongoing count of double envelopes, stating they will not make decisions until the final seat distribution is clear, expected by the end of the week. Options remain open, including forming an alternative government, joining a unity government, or calling new elections, though a unity government is seen as unlikely.

Some Yesh Atid members are exploring the possibility of persuading lawmakers from Netanyahu's bloc to form a government without compromising their election pledges, a difficult task. The party held a meeting to discuss the next phase after failing to become the largest party in the Knesset. The leader of the opposing camp stated on X that his party is focused on "bringing about change in Israel and forming a Zionist government that enforces conscription," viewing the election results as a vote of no confidence in Netanyahu's government. Despite disappointment, Yesh Atid circles are determined to prevent Netanyahu from forming the next government, with controlling the Knesset Speakership seen as a key immediate step.