Power Struggle in Israel: Opposition Moves to Oust Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana
Israeli opposition parties move to replace Speaker Amir Ohana in the 26th Knesset, but disagreements over a successor remain.
A high-stakes political battle is brewing in Jerusalem as opposition parties in Israel attempt to oust Amir Ohana from his position as the Speaker of the Knesset. With the inaugural session of the 26th Knesset scheduled for November 10, the opposition is leveraging its newfound numerical strength to force a change in leadership.
The Numbers Game
Following the recent elections, the political landscape in Israel has shifted significantly. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies have lost their parliamentary majority, while a coalition of six opposition parties now holds 67 of the 120 seats in the Knesset. This majority provides the opposition with the mathematical power to elect a new speaker through a simple-majority vote.
The push for removal began with formal letters from the Democrats and Yisrael Beytenu, both demanding that the election of a new speaker be placed on the agenda for the November 10 opening session.
Ohana’s Response: The 61-Member Condition
Amir Ohana, a lawmaker from the Likud party, has responded to these demands by sticking to parliamentary custom. He noted that the speaker is typically elected when a government is formed. However, he has left the door open for an earlier transition under one specific condition: a formal request signed by at least 61 lawmakers.
“We will respect the members of Knesset, and if a majority of them request such a debate, I will schedule it for an earlier date, no later than a week from now,” Ohana stated.
Ohana further dismissed claims of a struggle to hold onto power, telling the media to stop promoting "conspiracy theories" and asserting that he would not resist stepping down if the majority demanded it.
Opposition Rallies and Internal Friction
The momentum to replace the speaker is growing. The Arab-majority Joint List has called for an urgent, immediate session to facilitate the election. Similarly, Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party has submitted its own letter and is actively collecting signatures from incoming lawmakers to ensure the formal request is submitted before the parliament convenes.
However, while the opposition is united in wanting Ohana out, they are deeply divided on who should take his place. The role of the Knesset Speaker is pivotal, as the position wields significant influence over parliamentary proceedings and the legislative agenda.
The Candidate Conflict
- The Lapid Camp: Naftali Bennett's B'Yachad party and Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu have proposed Yair Lapid, the outgoing Opposition Leader, for the role.
- The Yashar Camp: Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party has pushed for one of its own lawmakers to be appointed.
This internal disagreement has created a deadlock. Despite having the numbers to win the vote, the opposition currently lacks a consensus candidate, leaving the fate of the speaker's chair uncertain as the November 10 deadline approaches.
Government Formation vs. Speaker Election
Legal and parliamentary experts note that the election of the Knesset Speaker is a separate process from the formation of a new government. While building a governing coalition could take weeks or even months, the opposition can technically replace Ohana the moment the new parliament convenes, provided they can finally agree on a single name to put forward.