Israel's "Our Home Israel" Party Seeks Knesset Speaker Vote

The "Our Home Israel" (NDI) party submitted a formal request on November 5 to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, demanding a vote on replacing the parliament's speaker on November 10, immediately after the 26th Knesset is sworn in. The proposal has garnered support from the "Be-Yahad" and "Democrats" parties. Speaker Ohana stated he would not obstruct the process if proper parliamentary procedure is followed, indicating that a vote could proceed if supported by a letter signed by at least 61 Knesset members requesting an earlier election for the speaker position. NDI's letter formally requested the vote at the first session of the 26th Knesset. While Gadi Eisenkot, a leader of the "change bloc," has not publicly responded to NDI's initiative, he has previously vowed to establish a parliamentary majority against Netanyahu, with the speaker's post being an initial target. Ohana addressed leaders of opposing factions, including Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and heads of Arab lists, via social media, explaining the conditions for an early speaker election. He emphasized his commitment to respecting the Knesset's will and assured that he would not cling to power, contrasting his stance with that of former Speaker Yuli Edelstein in 2020, who allegedly obstructed the majority's wishes. Ohana asserted that Israel is a law-abiding state and does not anticipate judicial intervention. During a meeting of the "change bloc" leaders, a proposal was made to appoint Yair Lapid as speaker, but Eisenkot requested a delay in the decision, with further consultations expected before the Knesset's swearing-in. Eisenkot, who is expected to receive the mandate to form the next government, outlined the bloc's objectives, including replacing the current speaker and repealing laws perceived as threats to democracy, aiming to prevent new elections and Netanyahu's continued hold on power.