Eisenkot Aims to Unseat Knesset Speaker Ohana Amid Coalition Talks

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar Party, is preparing to challenge Amir Ohana for the position of Knesset Speaker. This move, reported by Channel 14, is intended to help the opposition bloc overcome internal disagreements and gain control of parliament before a new government is formed. The decision followed a meeting between Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, with support also expressed by Naftali Bennett. Recent days saw disagreements among potential partners regarding the future speaker's candidacy, with Lieberman favoring Yair Lapid and others insisting the role should go to the largest faction. Eisenkot's nomination is seen as an attempt to resolve this dispute and unite behind a single candidate.

However, securing a majority for Ohana's replacement presents a significant challenge, as it requires the support of a parliamentary majority. President Yitzhak Herzog recently tasked Eisenkot with forming a new government, but coalition negotiations are ongoing and hampered by disagreements, particularly concerning the potential involvement of Arab parties in securing a majority. Eisenkot is open to a minority government, while Lieberman opposes reliance on Arab party votes and prefers agreements with ultra-Orthodox factions.

The attempt to enlist the ultra-Orthodox parties in changing the speaker has already met with refusal. The party has begun collecting signatures for the official voting procedure, which requires the support of 61 MKs. The opposition bloc currently holds only 48 mandates, necessitating the involvement of additional political forces.

Eisenkot is reportedly gauging whether Lieberman and Bennett would support this option to replace Ohana, a move that could be politically difficult for Lieberman, who has previously rejected governments dependent on Arab parties. Control of the Knesset is crucial for the bloc, as a new speaker would enable them to advance legislative initiatives before government formation, potentially including revisions to judicial reform laws. Amir Ohana has outlined the procedure for the vote, which could occur within a week if the required signatures are submitted.