Eisenkot and Lieberman Agree on Next Knesset Speaker

Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yamina party, and Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, have reached an agreement on the identity of the next Knesset Speaker. The position will succeed Amir Ohana, with current assessments suggesting a Yamina representative will be chosen, potentially Eisenkot himself. The agreement was made during a meeting between the two leaders on November 9, 2026.

Sources indicate that Eisenkot and Lieberman decided not to reveal the candidate's name until official approval is secured from Naftali Bennett and Yair Golan, who delegated the decision-making authority to them. They also announced understandings on additional contentious issues, though disagreements regarding the government's composition remain unresolved.

This development is part of the "change bloc's" efforts to replace the current Speaker, Amir Ohana. The goal is to prevent any potential delays in the new government's swearing-in ceremony, as the Knesset Speaker has the authority to set the date for the session within a week of the designated candidate announcing the formation of the government.

Eisenkot's bloc had requested a vote to replace Ohana on the upcoming Tuesday, coinciding with the swearing-in of Knesset members. Ohana, however, stated that the vote would occur within a week if a request signed by 61 Knesset members was submitted.