Netanyahu's Opponents Vie for Knesset Control Amidst Leadership Disputes

The bloc opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is aiming to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and gain control of its committees. Their goal is to advance legislation to repeal laws passed by the previous coalition before the next government is formed. However, internal disagreements have emerged among the bloc's leaders regarding Yair Lapid's candidacy for Knesset Speaker. The National Unity Party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is reportedly resistant, fearing Lapid's election could jeopardize options for forming a unity government with the Likud party.

Leaders of the bloc are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss their strategy for action within the Knesset, on the eve of consultations with President Yitzhak Herzog regarding the mandate to form a government. Officials within the bloc consider seizing the Knesset speakership and establishing the organizing committee as urgent priorities, which would allow them to control the parliamentary agenda and push for amendments or repeals of legislation enacted by Netanyahu's bloc.

According to Israeli media reports, Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman and New Right leader Naftali Bennett support Lapid's bid for Knesset Speaker. Conversely, Eisenkot prefers a candidate from his own party for the position. Senior officials from Eisenkot's party stated they "will not allow Lapid's election," arguing that keeping the option of a unity government open necessitates choosing either Eisenkot or Bennett for the Knesset speakership. The significance of this dispute lies in the difficulty of removing a Knesset Speaker once elected, as it requires a 90-vote majority, potentially hindering the formation of a government if an individual not participating in a potential coalition is elected.

The bloc is exploring gathering signatures from 61 lawmakers to push for Ohana's replacement, a move that could secure their control over the Knesset speakership even if the political crisis leads to new elections. Disagreements extend beyond the speakership, with reports indicating Eisenkot is advocating for exploring the formation of a minority government, potentially seeking support from Haredi parties, without explicitly ruling out reliance on Arab parties or forming a unity government.

Lieberman, however, rejects a minority government and joining a Netanyahu-led government, though he is open to negotiating with Haredi parties. Meanwhile, Democratic Union leader Yair Golan is pushing for a government supported by the United List, while Bennett opposes relying on Arab parties, warning such a government could collapse and return Netanyahu to power through new elections. Disagreements also encompass potential legislation during a transitional phase, with Eisenkot hesitant to pass a law retroactively barring criminally indicted individuals from serving as prime minister. Lieberman, meanwhile, questions the feasibility of passing a law to establish a state commission of inquiry during a transitional government's term if Israel heads toward new elections.

Lieberman had previously announced his support for granting Eisenkot the mandate to form a government and nominating Lapid for Knesset Speaker, despite criticizing the bloc's electoral results as below expectations and holding Eisenkot and his partners responsible for failing to achieve a parliamentary majority. Concurrently, Israeli reports revealed a message from Netanyahu's associates to Eisenkot stating that the Likud would not begin unity government talks as long as efforts to replace Ohana persist. In response, Eisenkot has reportedly stated in closed discussions that he will not join a Netanyahu-led government, while officials in his party emphasize the need to keep political options open. The upcoming meeting of bloc leaders occurs amidst a situation where neither bloc possesses a parliamentary majority, and ahead of presidential consultations, with ongoing disputes over how to leverage the new balance of power in the Knesset and the potential for forming a minority or unity government, or proceeding to new elections.