Lieberman and Eisenkot Agree on Knesset Speaker Nominee

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, and Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yesh Atid party, have reached an agreement on the candidate for the 26th Knesset Speaker position. The identity of the agreed-upon nominee has not yet been revealed, likely pending coordination with other parties in the "Change Bloc." Lieberman and Eisenkot intend to discuss the candidate with other bloc leaders, including Naftali Bennett of Yamina, Yair Golan of the Democratic Party, and Yair Lapid, who is number two in Yamina and was also considered for the role.

This agreement follows a general understanding among the bloc's party leaders last week to finalize a decision on the Knesset Speaker by Monday, the day before the Knesset's swearing-in. The candidate's name is expected to be disclosed in the coming hours. Following their meeting, Lieberman and Eisenkot released a statement expressing "full confidence in the ability to form a stable government for four years."

The agreement between Lieberman and Eisenkot is seen as a significant signal of progress within the Change Bloc, indicating advancements toward consensus and efforts to form a joint government, despite existing disagreements. This development is also driven by the bloc's plan to submit at least 61 signatures on Tuesday to replace the current Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana.

Earlier on Monday, Roi Folkman, chairman of the Yesh Atid faction, attempted to enlist the support of the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, for the move to replace the Knesset Speaker, but was unsuccessful. Folkman had sent letters to the parties' leaders inviting them to join the signature collection process, which was underway. United Torah Judaism chairman Yaakov Asher responded that his party's principled stance is that replacing the Knesset Speaker should occur concurrently with the formation of a new government, not just the convening of the Knesset.