Opposition parties in Israel have reached an agreement on selecting candidates for key parliamentary positions as part of a political effort to remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government from power. According to the agreement, former minister Matan Kahana has been nominated for the position of the next Knesset Speaker. Additionally, opposition leaders have agreed to assign the chairmanship of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party.
This decision was announced on Tuesday (November 10) in a joint statement. A report by *The Times of Israel* stated that the agreement was reached between Yachar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, Naftali Bennett of the Together bloc, Democrats Party Chairman Yair Golan, and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid.
After several days of discussions, Matan Kahana, who is fifth on Eisenkot’s Yachar Party list, was nominated for the Speaker position. Concurrently, it was decided that Liran Avishar Ben Horin, a newly elected Member of Knesset from the Together bloc, would chair the Finance Committee. The opposition’s statement indicated that the formation of various parliamentary committees would be finalized within this week. The proposals are expected to be presented to the Knesset for approval on Wednesday.
This agreement comes before the swearing-in of the members of Israel’s 26th Knesset. The opposition’s plan is to replace the current Speaker, Amir Ohana of Netanyahu’s Likud Party, with Matan Kahana.
However, securing a majority poses a significant challenge for the opposition in changing the Speaker. Amir Ohana has stated that he will organize a debate on the matter within a week if a majority of Knesset members formally demand a new Speaker election.
Currently, Eisenkot’s four-party coalition holds 48 seats out of 120 in the Knesset. At least 61 Members of Knesset are needed to pass the proposal to change the Speaker.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog officially tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government after he secured the support of 67 Members of Knesset. On the other hand, Netanyahu had the support of 46 Members of Knesset.
Eisenkot has been given 28 days to form a government. This period can be extended by an additional 14 days with the President’s approval if necessary.
Source: The Times of Israel
