Knesset Faces Pivotal Week Amid Government Formation Battles

The "Change Bloc" is preparing for a critical week in the Knesset, aiming to advance legislation and potentially replace the current Knesset Speaker as early as Wednesday. Negotiations are ongoing for the Speaker position, with the vote scheduled for Tuesday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly making significant efforts to persuade the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism to oppose the "Change Bloc's" candidate for Speaker, MK Matan Kahana. The Haredi parties have not yet committed to how they will vote, viewing their decision as a potential bargaining chip in negotiations with both blocs.

The "Change Bloc" plans to push two bills on Wednesday: one to revoke legislation weakening the authority of the Attorney General and another to alter the composition of the committee that selects judges. Replacing the Knesset Speaker is seen as a key step to facilitate the advancement of further legislative initiatives.

Meanwhile, Gadi Eisenkot is seriously considering forming a government with the support of the ultra-Orthodox parties, following a veto by Avigdor Lieberman against cooperating with Arab parties. These negotiations are marked by significant distrust between the parties, with concerns of last-minute withdrawals. The ongoing talks with the Haredi parties provide Eisenkot with leverage against Lieberman, especially given Lieberman's rejection of a government that includes Arab parties, and in light of the possibility of further elections.

Netanyahu has intensified his pressure on Eisenkot, urging him to enter negotiations for a unity government without preconditions. Notably, this is the first time Netanyahu has explicitly called for such a government without mentioning his demand for a rotation in the Prime Minister's seat. His statement emphasized the inclusion of ultra-Orthodox parties and suggested that the conscription issue would be resolved later with them, potentially as a move to prevent the Haredi parties from joining the "Change Bloc."

MK Yitzhak Pindrus of United Torah Judaism suggested in an interview that if his party reaches an agreement on the status of yeshiva students, the Shas party might join the effort. Pindrus did not rule out an interim arrangement where Shas joins the government at a later stage or provides external support. While Shas has denied intentions to join, Pindrus left open the possibility of their later involvement.