Eisenkot Bloc Gains Control of Knesset Organizing Committee

The Knesset plenum approved the formation of the 26th Knesset's Organizing Committee on Wednesday, with 63 votes in favor and 50 against. The proposal, put forth by Member of Knesset Roee Folkman of Gadi Eisenkot's "Yachad" party, grants the bloc opposing Benjamin Netanyahu significant influence over parliamentary operations and committee appointments amid ongoing government formation talks. The committee will consist of 22 members, with representation allocated based on a formula of one seat per five Knesset members. Folkman will chair the committee. The vote followed a failure by parliamentary bloc representatives to reach an agreement on seat distribution in a prior meeting, leading to competing proposals from Folkman and Likud's Ofir Katz. Under the approved structure, the Likud party secured five seats, "Yachad" received four, while "Bayahad," the Joint List, "Democrats," and the United List each obtained two seats. "Yisrael Beiteinu," "Otzma Yehudit," "Yahadut HaTorah," "Shas," and "Religious Zionism" each received one seat. This distribution gives parties opposing Netanyahu, excluding the Arab lists, nine seats, matching the nine seats for Netanyahu's bloc. The Joint List and United List hold four seats, making their representation influential in the committee's power balance. The Organizing Committee is responsible for preparing the permanent parliamentary committees for plenum approval and can establish two temporary committees for finance and foreign affairs and security until permanent ones are elected. It also assumes the powers of the Knesset Committee regarding parliamentary work and procedures until the latter is formed, including appointing interim Knesset deputy speakers. Folkman described his approach as "pragmatic politics" emphasizing mutual respect and adherence to norms and laws, and expressed regret over unnecessary tensions. Katz, who proposed an 18-member committee with a different representation formula, accused parties rejecting his proposal of attempting to conceal cooperation with Arab lawmakers, whom he alleged support terrorism. The committee's formation occurs as Eisenkot's bloc seeks to control key Knesset positions and form an alternative government, while the Likud aims to maintain its parliamentary influence and prevent Haredi parties from shifting allegiance.