New Knesset Speaker Could Be Key to Ousting Netanyahu as Israeli PM

Speaker Position and Potential Candidates

The current Knesset Speaker is Amir Ohana. He is a close ally of Netanyahu. Israeli media reported on Tuesday that Gadi Eisenkot might take this role. Eisenkot is a former Israeli army chief. He was mandated to seek a coalition government over the weekend.

Security Warnings Against Disruption

Over 160 high-ranking former security officers issued a serious warning. These include heads of the army, intelligence, and police. They cautioned that right-wing activists plan violence on the inauguration day. A group of retired commanders, „Wall of Democracy Protection,”warned security chiefs. They stated opponents of the speaker change plan to block Knesset entry. This group cited Ma’ariv newspaper. They added that tens of thousands of supporters will attend.

Opposition Strategy and Divisions

If Eisenkot declines, opposition parties agreed his candidate should come from Yashar. The opposition holds 67 of 120 Knesset seats. This is enough to mandate a consensual election for the speaker. All opposition members view the current PM as a state threat. They are motivated against him despite internal divisions. Some Jewish-Israeli opposition parties refuse to cooperate with Palestinian-led parties. These parties hold over a quarter of the bloc's seats. They will not join a minority government supporting them.

Eisenkot's Vision for Governance

Eisenkot intends to facilitate national emergency governance. He promises this through „creative and unconventional political actions.”He implicitly warned that some campaign promises must yield for Netanyahu's removal. He stated, „No person can fulfill all campaign promises.”He added, „All must accept compromises. That includes leadership, knowing when to decide and prioritize.” Prioritizing Netanyahu's Removal Protests demanded Jewish-Israeli opposition parties prioritize Netanyahu's ouster. This must outweigh racist commitments to exclude Palestinian parties. Israeli Palestinian citizens are about 20% of the population. They gained 19 seats this year. Without their support, the opposition bloc is smaller than Netanyahu's reduced coalition.

Coalition Hurdles and Haredi Dynamics

Right-wing opposition leader Avigdor Lieberman sought alliances with ultra-Orthodox parties. These groups were long Netanyahu allies. They were frustrated by his failure to pass military recruitment exemptions for them. Lieberman strongly advocated universal conscription. Yet, he seems to favor compromise over Palestinian cooperation. Haredi journalist Arye Erlich questioned in Yedioth Ahronoth. He asked, „Is time up? Did Avigdor Lieberman, the greatest persecutor of Haredim in decades, suddenly realize he can negotiate a recruitment law and join a Haredi government coalition?” Political Maneuvering and Uncertainty Eisenkot might delay coalition announcement until the speaker is replaced. Netanyahu excels at political survival and last-minute deals. He has previously fractured coalitions by attracting defectors. Amir Ohana could delay signing a new government for a week. Some opposition members do not want to give Netanyahu that time to attack weak agreements.

Future Scenarios and Stability

If Eisenkot fails to form a government, the mandate passes to others. If they also fail, Israel faces new elections. Until then, Netanyahu and his far-right allies remain in a transition government. Netanyahu asks rivals to join a unity government. However, prolonged uncertainty favors his return. Gideon Rahat, a political science professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, noted this. He added, „Once a government is established, even a minority one, implementing actions will be complicated, but they will govern and it will be difficult to dismiss them.”