Opposition seeks to seize Knesset speaker post as coalition maneuvering intensifies
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Israel’s newly sworn Knesset may see its speaker replaced, an important step for opposition leaders working to form a government that could remove Benjamin Netanyahu from power.
Israel's new Knesset will be sworn in on Tuesday, giving opposition parties their first opportunity to take control of key parliamentary mechanisms while they continue negotiations to form a government capable of unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The speaker's post, currently held by Amir Ohana, a close ally of Netanyahu, is expected to be contested. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who received the presidential mandate to assemble a coalition, is reported as a possible candidate for the role. If Eisenkot does not take the position, opposition parties have agreed to nominate a member of his Yashar party.
More than 160 former security officials, including former heads of the military, intelligence and police, have warned that right-wing activists could attempt to disrupt the swearing-in ceremony with violence.
"Actors who oppose replacing the Knesset speaker intend to go to the Knesset on the day of the swearing-in ceremony and to prevent the MKs and their family members from entering the building," a letter from the retired commanders' forum Democracy’s Protective Wall said.
"These same actors are encouraging tens of thousands of citizens who support their stance to come and to help them with their mission," the letter added, as quoted by Ma’ariv.
The opposition bloc holds 67 of the 120 seats, enough to elect a consensus speaker. While all opposition parties describe Netanyahu as a threat to the state, several Jewish-Israeli parties have pledged not to sit with or support a minority government that includes Palestinian-led parties, which hold 19 seats after a surge in voter turnout.
Eisenkot has said he will pursue a national emergency government through "creative and unconventional political acts" and warned that some campaign promises would need to be set aside to achieve the goal of removing Netanyahu.
"No one will be able to fulfil all the [campaign] promises they made, and all of us will need to compromise. That is also leadership, to know when to decide and set priorities," he said.
Right-wing leader Avigdor Lieberman is exploring an alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties, despite past friction over military draft exemptions.
If Eisenkot succeeds in brokering a coalition, he may delay its announcement until the speaker is replaced, limiting Netanyahu's ability to use the speaker's influence to stall a new government. Ohana could potentially postpone the signing of a new coalition for up to a week.
Should the opposition fail to form a government, the mandate will pass to other leaders and, if no agreement is reached, Israel could face another election, leaving Netanyahu and his far-right allies in a caretaker role.
Political scientist Gideon Rahat of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem noted that even a minority government would be difficult for Netanyahu to overturn once established.