Netanyahu Offers Unity Government Talks Conditional on Keeping Knesset Speaker

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's circle has conveyed a message to Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar!" party, stating that negotiations for a unity government will not proceed if Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana is replaced. The message, delivered exclusively to Eisenkot and not to other leaders of the "change bloc," also emphasized that talks would not commence while efforts to appoint a different speaker are underway. According to the statement, the Likud party is open to discussing various options for a joint government, provided this condition is met.

Sources close to Eisenkot indicated that the replacement of Ohana as Knesset Speaker will be pursued, and that joining Netanyahu's government is not currently being considered. This development follows a report from Saturday that leaders of the change bloc had agreed to advance a move to replace Ohana. The report was made against the backdrop of Eisenkot's own declarations of intent to "immediately act to realize the clear parliamentary majority" and to establish a state commission of inquiry, promote mandatory service, and repeal laws related to the judicial overhaul.

Meanwhile, President Yitzhak Herzog addressed the preparations for the upcoming consultations on forming a government, scheduled to begin this Wednesday. He urged party leaders to "stop climbing trees and prevent more elections," expressing hope that representatives would approach the discussions with open minds to find creative solutions and avoid further elections. A separate report indicated that neither bloc is expected to achieve a "complete victory," outlining two potential paths for government formation. Naftali Bennett announced he would recommend Eisenkot to form the government.