Opposition Demands Knesset Speaker Vote Amid Internal Divisions
Opposition bloc leaders demanded an immediate Knesset vote to replace Speaker Amir Ohana amid allegations of a Likud disruption plan. Meanwhile, internal divisions persist between Yair Lapid and Gadi Eisenkot over the opposition's candidate.
The political struggle for control of the Knesset escalated sharply on Thursday as leaders of the opposition bloc sent a formal letter to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, demanding an immediate plenary session and a vote to elect a new speaker as early as next Tuesday.
According to sources within the opposition, information has emerged regarding an alleged Likud plan to disrupt the vote and physically block lawmakers from entering the assembly hall. The sources claim that hundreds of Likud central committee members intend to arrive at the Knesset building on the day of the vote to obstruct access, alongside planned disruptions during the debate itself to force Ohana to adjourn the session and halt the replacement vote. Opposition figures warned against such a scenario, though they emphasized that the intelligence has not been officially confirmed by Likud.
Simultaneously, deep divisions persist within the opposition regarding the consensus candidate to replace Ohana. Party leaders concluded their latest meeting without a final agreement, setting next Monday as the ultimate deadline for a decision. The dispute centers between Yashar! party leader Gadi Eisenkot and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid. Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman supports Lapid for the position, while Eisenkot seeks the role for himself.
Negotiations are further complicated by concerns that the speakership could be handed to a representative from a party that might later join a coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Observers note that Eisenkot aims to secure a strong power base during coalition talks, intending to resign if he successfully forms a government or retain the influential parliamentary post if he does not. Despite the internal deadlock, the opposition intends to press forward with its parliamentary initiatives and seek the initial mandate to form a government from President Isaac Herzog.
