Israel Election Fallout: "Change Bloc" Eyes Knesset Speaker Post Amid Shifting Alliances

Following the latest election results, Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, announced plans to meet separately with leaders of three "Change Bloc" parties, including Yair Lapid and Gadi Eisenkot, to discuss forming a "Zionist enlistment government." Meanwhile, Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, has been unresponsive to calls.

The "Change Bloc" parties, despite the current deadlock where no single bloc can form a government, are reportedly aiming to replace the current Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, as a first step. However, concrete discussions on this matter have not yet occurred. The Likud party intends to thwart this move, claiming the "Change Bloc" would collaborate with the Joint List to achieve it.

Discussions are ongoing between senior members of Gadi Eisenkot's Yisrael party, Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu, and representatives from Naftali Bennett's Bayad party. Their strategic goal is to counter Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A key focus is replacing the Knesset Speaker immediately after the new Knesset is sworn in, even before a government is formed. This position is considered highly influential, impacting the parliamentary agenda and legislative progress.

Eisenkot tweeted that he had concluded a day of meetings and preparations to fulfill the voters' will, stating his focus is on bringing change to Israel and establishing a "Zionist enlistment government." With 93% of ballots counted, Netanyahu's bloc has 53 mandates, the "Change Bloc" has 48, and Arab parties hold 19. The outcome of approximately 430,000 to 480,000 double envelopes remains to be determined and could alter the current standings.

The emerging election results pose a challenge to the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism. While no bloc has a clear majority and a unity government is considered likely, Shas and United Torah Judaism fear being left in the opposition. Shas's results have significantly dropped from 11 mandates in the previous election to seven, based on 86.5% of votes counted. United Torah Judaism currently stands at seven mandates.

Initially, the ultra-Orthodox parties expected to be kingmakers, potentially forcing the next coalition to pass a conscription exemption law before government formation. However, the current results have shifted their stance. MK Yitzhak Goldknopf has not ruled out discussions with other parties, leaving the final decision to rabbis and opening the door for negotiations with both blocs. United Torah Judaism issued a statement clarifying that no party leaders had approached them, except for a message from Netanyahu's circle about his intention to preserve coalition parties. A source from Shas told Ynet that anyone believing Aryeh Deri would abandon his bloc to court Eisenkot the day after the election is mistaken.