New Knesset Sworn In; Matan Kahana Tapped for Speaker

By חדשות סרוגים

Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba

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The 26th Knesset was sworn in, with 120 members taking office. Matan Kahana was chosen as the next Knesset Speaker, succeeding Amir Ohana. Agreements were also reached on candidates for key committee chair positions, including Avigdor Lieberman for Foreign Affairs and Defense. The new Knesset will begin its work with the swearing-in ceremony and subsequent committee appointments.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

The 26th Knesset was sworn in with 120 members, including 46 newcomers.
Matan Kahana will serve as the next Knesset Speaker, succeeding Amir Ohana.
Haim Katz, nearly 79, is the oldest MK, while Yonatan Shilo, 24, is the youngest.
Avigdor Lieberman will chair the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Key committee appointments are expected to be finalized this week.

New Knesset Sworn In; Matan Kahana Tapped for Speaker — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

The 26th Knesset officially began its term on Tuesday with the swearing-in of 120 members of Knesset (MKs) following the recent elections. Of these, 46 are new to the Knesset. The youngest MK is 24-year-old Yonatan Shilo, while the oldest is Haim Katz, nearly 79.

In a significant development, Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, decided that Matan Kahana will serve as the next Knesset Speaker. Kahana will succeed Amir Ohana and become the third Orthodox Jewish speaker, following Avraham Burg and Yuli Edelstein. The "change bloc," with the support of Arab parties, commands 67 seats and is expected to vote in favor of Kahana's appointment.

Eisenkot, along with leaders of the change and correction parties, including Naftali Bennett, Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Lapid, reached agreements on candidates for key Knesset positions during the government formation period. These agreements include Roey Folkman as chair of the Arrangements Committee, Avigdor Lieberman as chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and Liran Avishar Ben-Hurin as chair of the Finance Committee.

The composition of the committees will be discussed and finalized by the Arrangements Committee during the week, with final approval from the Knesset plenum expected on Wednesday. Agreements were also reached on the establishment of special committees, the details of which will be announced later.