New Knesset Sworn In; Matan Kahana Tapped for Speaker

The 26th Knesset officially began its term on Tuesday with the swearing-in of 120 members of Knesset (MKs) following the recent elections. Of these, 46 are new to the Knesset. The youngest MK is 24-year-old Yonatan Shilo, while the oldest is Haim Katz, nearly 79.

In a significant development, Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, decided that Matan Kahana will serve as the next Knesset Speaker. Kahana will succeed Amir Ohana and become the third Orthodox Jewish speaker, following Avraham Burg and Yuli Edelstein. The "change bloc," with the support of Arab parties, commands 67 seats and is expected to vote in favor of Kahana's appointment.

Eisenkot, along with leaders of the change and correction parties, including Naftali Bennett, Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Lapid, reached agreements on candidates for key Knesset positions during the government formation period. These agreements include Roey Folkman as chair of the Arrangements Committee, Avigdor Lieberman as chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and Liran Avishar Ben-Hurin as chair of the Finance Committee.

The composition of the committees will be discussed and finalized by the Arrangements Committee during the week, with final approval from the Knesset plenum expected on Wednesday. Agreements were also reached on the establishment of special committees, the details of which will be announced later.