UTJ Proposal for Interim Knesset Speaker Blocked by Lieberman-Eisenkot Deal
Discussions between United Torah Judaism and opposition parties explored temporarily appointing Yaakov Asher as Knesset Speaker to guarantee the conscription law. However, an agreement between Avigdor Lieberman and Gadi Eisenkot to reserve the post for Yashar has closed the door on the proposal.
Discussions between United Torah Judaism and opposition bloc factions included a proposal to temporarily appoint MK Yaakov Asher as Knesset Speaker as a guarantee for advancing the conscription law, according to reports. The initiative was raised prior to a meeting between Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman and Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot, during which they agreed that the next Knesset Speaker will come from the Yashar party, effectively ending Asher's candidacy.
Leaders of other opposition factions, Naftali Bennett and Yair Golan, left the decision to Lieberman and Eisenkot, who met amid public friction and tension. Following the meeting, both politicians stated that the talks were constructive and expressed full confidence in forming a stable four-year government. They also reported agreements on several previously disputed issues, though fundamental differences regarding the government's composition apparently remain.
Opposition parties previously agreed that replacing the Knesset Speaker should be an immediate priority following election results. The Speaker holds significant leverage, as they control the timeline for scheduling the swearing-in session once a mandate holder informs the president of a successful coalition formation, allowing time to lobby lawmakers. Eisenkot's bloc has already demanded that incumbent Speaker Amir Ohana hold a vote on his replacement this coming Tuesday, coinciding with the swearing-in of the new Knesset. Ohana responded that upon receiving 61 signatures, he would schedule the vote within a week.
Yaakov Asher declined to sign the lawmakers' letter calling for the immediate replacement of Ohana, explaining that replacing the Speaker should coincide with the formation of a new government. Mindful of past experiences where coalition promises regarding the conscription law went unfulfilled, United Torah Judaism is seeking firm guarantees in all coalition talks, including protection against potential High Court of Justice rulings through supplementary legislation.
