Eisenkot Pushes Parliamentary Maneuver to Seize Knesset Control

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yesh!" party, is advancing a rapid parliamentary strategy aimed at gaining control of key committees and power centers in the Knesset before coalition negotiations are finalized. Political correspondent Yoval Karny reported on Ynet that leaders of the "change bloc" are planning to establish six to eight special committees. These committees would operate concurrently with the goal of repealing judicial reform laws and advancing the bloc's urgent legislation by leveraging their parliamentary majority.

Additionally, a parliamentary workaround is planned to establish a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7th. Instead of waiting for a government decision, the bloc intends to create a "special committee for the law of state commissions of inquiry," empowering the Knesset to enact legislation for its formation. The change bloc is also pushing to immediately appoint representatives to head the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and the Finance Committee.

Furthermore, efforts are underway to gather signatures from over 61 Knesset members to replace the current Speaker, Amir Ohana. A consensus candidate for the position is expected to be determined by Sunday. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, has formally requested that the vote to replace Ohana take place next Tuesday, with Ohana expected to convene the Knesset for the election about a week later.

Ohana responded to the push, stating that the customary time for electing a Knesset speaker is during government formation. However, he acknowledged that if at least 61 MKs submit a request for an earlier vote, he would schedule it within a week. Meanwhile, Eisenkot is reportedly finalizing coalition agreements with the "B'Tselem," Yisrael Beiteinu, and "HaDemocratim" parties, with a commitment that any minority government formed would be temporary and expanded later.

Lieberman, however, strongly opposes a minority government reliant on Arab parties, declaring his party will not sit with certain politicians or "supporters of terrorism." He outlined his party's conditions for joining a coalition, insisting it must consist solely of Zionist parties, potentially including the Likud without Benjamin Netanyahu. Lieberman warned that a government dependent on Arab parties would quickly collapse and strengthen the Likud.

These parliamentary moves occur as the process of recommending a candidate to the President concludes. The Joint List announced it would recommend Eisenkot to form the next government, giving him 67 recommendations compared to Netanyahu's 46.