Knesset Speaker Vows Vote on Replacement if 61 Signatures Submitted

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has stated he will schedule a vote to replace him if at least 61 Knesset members submit a request, a move that could potentially paralyze the parliament. Ohana, who is close to Prime Minister Netanyahu, previously indicated that the standard time to elect a Knesset Speaker is when a government is formed, but he would allow an earlier vote if a majority of 61 MKs requested it. He assured that there would be no "clinging to the horns of the altar" and dismissed "conspiracy theories" in the media.

Several petitions have been filed with the High Court of Justice (Bagatz) by groups including the Movement for Quality of Government, the Blue and White party, the Labor-Meretz party, and Yisrael Beiteinu. The petitioners argue that the current Knesset Speaker acted with a conflict of interest, exceeded his authority, and acted unreasonably by not including the election of a permanent speaker on the Knesset's agenda, suggesting foreign considerations influenced his decision. They cite Knesset regulations stating a speaker must be elected no later than when the Knesset convenes to form a government, and that the current speaker, acting under continuity law, is thwarting the will of the majority and undermining public trust and the separation of powers.

The article draws a parallel to a 2020 precedent involving former Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein. Edelstein had refused to schedule a vote for his replacement, citing coalition negotiations, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a state of emergency. The Knesset's legal advisor at the time suggested that electing a speaker before political forces were clear could lead to a "regime malfunction" if the speaker ended up in the opposition. However, then-Supreme Court President Esther Hayut ruled that Edelstein's discretion was limited in this case, as he was acting as a de facto speaker and the matter directly concerned him. Hayut stated that Edelstein's refusal to allow a vote undermined democratic processes and the Knesset's status as an independent branch, and that the Knesset is sovereign, not a "cheerleading squad for the government."

Despite the court's order to schedule a vote, Edelstein refused and resigned to avoid complying with the ruling, a move reportedly influenced by pressure from his party. This refusal caused a delay, eventually leading to agreements for a unity government between Likud and Blue and White, with Benny Gantz serving as interim speaker and later a permanent one. The High Court later ruled that Edelstein had violated its order, noting his public refusal to comply with a judicial decree. Edelstein's political career reportedly did not recover from this incident, with some suggesting Netanyahu's political considerations also played a role in his subsequent exclusion from the Knesset.

The article also notes that Ohana has previously been criticized by the High Court for disregarding its decisions, such as in the election of the State Comptroller, suggesting that defiance of court orders might be a political tactic for him. Ohana has now committed to convening the Knesset for a replacement vote if 61 MKs demand it.