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An opposition bloc in Israel, led by Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar Party, wants to remove Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana on the first day of the country’s new parliament. Arab parties representing Israeli citizens of Arab descent have also joined the initiative, with an agreement reportedly reached between the groups.
Ohana is a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party. Israeli media reported the development on Friday.
The opposition bloc, known as the “Change Bloc”, comprises Yashar, BeYachad, The Democrats and Yisrael Beiteinu. Together with the Arab-led Joint List and Ra’am parties, the bloc secured a total of 67 seats in the election. A majority in Israel’s 120-seat Knesset requires 61 seats. This means the opposition bloc and Arab parties have enough support to remove Ohana from his current position if they act together.
Israel held its parliamentary election last Tuesday. According to the results, Netanyahu’s far-right bloc won 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot secured 48. The Arab-led Joint List and Ra’am won 19 seats.
A party or bloc needs at least 61 seats to form a government in Israel’s parliament, or Knesset. No single bloc secured that number. However, Eisenkot’s opposition bloc could form a government if it joins forces with Joint List and Ra’am.
Although the final election results have been published, they will be formally announced on November 4.
Political parties are now weighing their options for forming a coalition government based on the results. Amid these discussions, The Democrats leader Yair Golan said on Channel 12 on Friday that “the first thing we will do” after Knesset members are sworn in will be to appoint a new speaker. Heads of the parliamentary committees will be appointed afterwards.
Israel’s new parliament is scheduled to convene on November 10. Although negotiations over government formation are underway, the newly elected members are due to be sworn in on that date. A vote to remove the speaker could also take place on the same day.
Speaker Amir Ohana is a close ally of Prime Minister Netanyahu. Political analyst Barak Seri said an agreement had already been reached to remove Ohana, but did not identify who might replace him. However, several reports have suggested that former prime minister Yair Lapid could be appointed to the post. Source: Times of Israel.
