Kikar HaShabbatPolitics17:59

Eisenkot Pushes Parliamentary Maneuvers to Control Knesset Committees

By כיכר השבת, יוני גבאי

Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba

ReligiousCharged tone

Hebrew · 3 newsrooms covering

Gadi Eisenkot is spearheading a parliamentary push to seize control of Knesset committees and key positions before government formation. The "change bloc" plans to establish special committees to repeal judicial reforms and advance their agenda, while also seeking to bypass government approval for a state inquiry into the October 7th events. Efforts are also underway to replace the Knesset Speaker, with opposition from Avigdor Lieberman to potential minority governments relying on Arab parties. Eisenkot has secured majority recommendations to form the next government.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Gadi Eisenkot is advancing a parliamentary strategy to control Knesset committees before government formation.
The "change bloc" plans to establish special committees to repeal judicial reforms and advance their agenda.
A bypass is planned to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th events via Knesset legislation.
Efforts are underway to gather signatures to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, with a vote expected soon.
Avigdor Lieberman opposes a minority government reliant on Arab parties and demands a Zionist-only coalition.
Gadi Eisenkot has secured majority recommendations from the Knesset to form the next government.

Eisenkot Pushes Parliamentary Maneuvers to Control Knesset Committees — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yesh!" party, is advancing a rapid parliamentary strategy aimed at securing control over key power centers and committees in the Knesset before a government coalition agreement is finalized. Political correspondent Yoval Karni reported on Ynet that leaders of the "change bloc" are planning to establish six to eight special committees. These committees would operate concurrently with the goal of repealing judicial reform laws and advancing the bloc's urgent legislative agenda by leveraging their parliamentary majority.

In parallel, a parliamentary bypass is being planned to establish a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7th. Instead of waiting for a government decision, the bloc intends to create a "special committee for the law of state commissions of inquiry," which would be established through legislation passed by the Knesset majority. The change bloc is also pushing for the immediate appointment of its representatives to head the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and the Finance Committee.

Furthermore, efforts are underway to gather signatures from over 61 Knesset members to replace the current Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana. A consensus candidate for the speaker position is expected to be determined by Sunday. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, has officially requested that the vote to replace Ohana take place next Tuesday, with Ohana expected to convene the Knesset for the election about a week later.

Ohana responded to the bloc's moves, stating that the customary time for electing a Knesset speaker is when a government is formed. However, he acknowledged that if a letter with at least 61 signatures is submitted requesting an earlier vote, he would schedule it within a week. Meanwhile, Eisenkot is reportedly working on coalition agreements with the "B'Tselem," Yisrael Beiteinu, and "Democrats" parties, with a commitment that any minority government formed would be temporary. Lieberman, however, expressed strong opposition to a minority government reliant on Arab parties, stating his party would not sit with certain individuals or parties he deemed supportive of terrorism, and insisted on a coalition composed solely of Zionist parties, excluding Benjamin Netanyahu.

These parliamentary maneuvers are occurring as the process of recommending a candidate for prime minister to President Isaac Herzog concludes. The Joint List announced it would recommend Eisenkot, granting him a majority of 67 recommendations compared to Netanyahu's 46.