Eisenkot Bloc Agrees to Seize Knesset Speaker Role

Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Liberman agreed on Monday to install a Yashar party member as the next Speaker of the Knesset. The decision grants the 48-lawmaker opposition bloc procedural control over the legislature before a formal government is formed. This move targets the removal of Speaker Amir Ohana, a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The opposition lacks the 61 seats required for a legislative majority. Eisenkot intends to use the speaker position to manage the agenda while negotiating with other parties. He is expected to serve as speaker temporarily while assembling a cabinet. The agreement resolves a dispute between Eisenkot and Liberman over who would hold the role.

Liberman persuaded Eisenkot to cooperate with the ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas. This approach contradicts Eisenkot’s campaign platform of universal military service. Liberman argued that a coalition relying on Arab parties would be unstable. He stated that partnering with the Haredi communities would create a durable administration.

Reports from Kan public broadcaster indicate the ultra-Orthodox parties are interested in negotiations. No official talks have occurred yet between their leaders and the opposition bloc. Channel 12 reported that the Haredi parties seek a transitional arrangement of one to 18 months. During this period, they hope to delay strict enforcement of enlistment laws and sanctions against draft dodgers.

The Haredi parties are seeking legal assurances that this arrangement will withstand scrutiny from the Attorney General and the Knesset legal adviser. They believe legislation may be required to establish conscription policy rather than relying on government decisions. This legal framework would allow them to develop a broader draft on military service without immediate confrontation.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is actively working to prevent the opposition from coalescing. He attempted to meet with senior spiritual leaders of United Torah Judaism, including Rabbi Dov Lando and Moshe Hillel Hirsch, but was rebuffed. The Prime Minister’s Office is pressuring these figures to vote against an Eisenkot-led government rather than abstain. Netanyahu hopes a failed coalition attempt will lead to new elections.

Despite his public stance, a close associate of Netanyahu has been in contact with Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas. Natan Eshel, who previously led coalition talks with Ra’am, reportedly urged Abbas not to support Eisenkot. In transcripts released by Channel 12, Eshel questioned whether Ra’am would help Eisenkot without being included in the coalition. Abbas indicated that Ra’am would wait for election results before making a final decision.

Eshel claimed to have conveyed a message asking if the party had self-respect if it supported a leader who did not want them in his coalition. Abbas replied that Ra’am would do what was best for them. Eisenkot and Liberman are now expected to consult with other bloc members, including Naftali Bennett and Yair Golan, before a public announcement.

The Knesset is scheduled to convene on Tuesday. If a majority of members requests it, Ohana is expected to schedule a discussion on his potential replacement next week. He cannot block the vote, which requires a simple majority, provided the opposition parties agree on a single candidate.