Eisenkot Pushes Knesset Power Grab Before Government Talks

By חדשות סרוגים

Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba

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Hebrew · 3 newsrooms covering

Gadi Eisenkot is spearheading a plan to consolidate power within the Knesset before coalition talks, aiming to establish special committees and fill key parliamentary roles. The "Change Bloc" plans to create committees for legislative changes, including one for a state inquiry into the October 7th massacre. The bloc also intends to appoint members to crucial committees and potentially replace the Knesset Speaker. However, internal disagreements, particularly from Avigdor Lieberman regarding a minority government, pose challenges to the bloc's strategy.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Gadi Eisenkot is pushing a plan to seize Knesset power before government formation talks.
The plan includes establishing special committees and filling key parliamentary roles.
A special committee is proposed to enable a state inquiry into the October 7th massacre.
The "Change Bloc" aims to use its parliamentary majority for legislative changes.
Internal disagreements, especially from Avigdor Lieberman, challenge the bloc's strategy.
The bloc also seeks to replace the Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana.

Eisenkot Pushes Knesset Power Grab Before Government Talks — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, is advancing a plan to seize control of key Knesset positions before coalition negotiations begin. The strategy, reported by Ynet, involves establishing special committees, filling crucial parliamentary roles, and advancing legislation using the majority held by parties opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

One of Eisenkot's primary initiatives is the creation of a "Special Committee for State Commission of Inquiry Law." This committee would aim to pass legislation enabling a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th massacre without requiring a government decision, instead deriving authority from Knesset legislation. Concurrently, leaders of the "Change Bloc" parties plan to establish six to eight additional special committees to advance legislative amendments. Some of these committees will focus on repealing judicial overhaul laws, while others will push forward urgent legislation supported by the bloc's existing parliamentary majority.

"We need to utilize the parliamentary majority we have in the Knesset and start working," Eisenkot stated. The plan relies on the support of 67 Knesset members who oppose Netanyahu. However, even if the committees are formed, achieving their objectives will likely be complicated until a new government is established.

In addition to the special committees, the Change Bloc intends to fill the two central Knesset committees, Foreign Affairs and Defense, and Finance, with representatives from the bloc's parties. Another proposed move is replacing the current Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana. Opposition parties are pushing for his removal after gathering signatures from over 61 Knesset members. A source close to Eisenkot indicated that the candidate for Speaker would be chosen by consensus, with a decision expected by Sunday.

Meanwhile, coalition negotiations are scheduled to take place at the Dan Accadia Hotel in Herzliya, where leaders of the Change Bloc, including Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Golan, and Opposition leader Yair Lapid, met this week. Eisenkot's immediate goal is to secure coalition agreements with the three bloc parties, committing to a short-lived minority government that would later seek expansion. However, significant disagreements are already emerging within the bloc. Lieberman opposes a minority government and forming alliances with Arab parties, warning that such a government would be unstable and ultimately strengthen Netanyahu.

Thus, while Eisenkot aims to leverage the parliamentary majority in the Knesset, the formation of a government and the viability of a minority government remain points of contention among the bloc's leaders.