Opposition Agrees on Power Sharing to Oust Netanyahu; Matan Kahana Nominated for Knesset Speaker

As part of political efforts to unseat Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, the country’s opposition parties have reached an agreement on selecting candidates for key parliamentary positions. According to the understanding, former minister Matan Kahana has been nominated for the post of the next Knesset Speaker. Additionally, opposition leaders have agreed to assign Avigdor Liberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, the responsibility of chairing the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

This decision was announced in a joint statement on Tuesday (November 10). A report by *The Times of Israel* stated that the agreement was reached among Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yasar Party; Avigdor Liberman; Naftali Bennett of the Together bloc; Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats Party; and opposition leader Yair Lapid.

Following several days of discussions, Matan Kahana, who is fifth on Eisenkot’s Yasar Party list, was nominated for the Speaker’s position. Concurrently, it was decided to appoint Liran Avishar Ben Horin, a newly elected Member of Parliament from the Together bloc, as the chairman of the Finance Committee. The opposition’s statement indicated that the formation of various parliamentary committees would be finalized within the current week. The proposals are expected to be brought before the Knesset on Wednesday for approval.

This agreement comes ahead of the swearing-in of members of Israel’s 26th Knesset. The opposition’s plan is to replace the current Speaker, Amir Ohana, a leader of Netanyahu’s Likud party, with Matan Kahana.

However, a major hurdle for the opposition in changing the Speaker is securing a majority. Amir Ohana has stated that he would arrange a debate on the matter within a week if a majority of Knesset members formally demand the election of a new Speaker.

Currently, Eisenkot’s four-party bloc holds 48 out of the 120 seats in the Knesset. At least 61 Members of Parliament are needed to support the proposal for a Speaker change.

Earlier, last Sunday, after receiving the support of 67 Members of Parliament, Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government. In contrast, Benjamin Netanyahu had garnered the support of 46 Members of Parliament.

Eisenkot has been given 28 days to form a government. If necessary, this period can be extended by another 14 days with the President’s approval.

Source: The Times of Israel

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