Israel’s ultra-Orthodox party rejects bid to replace Knesset speaker

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party has rejected an opposition move to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana during the opening session of the newly elected parliament, complicating efforts to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political bloc.

The party’s chairman, Yaakov Asher, said the speaker should be replaced only when a new government is formed, rather than at the parliament’s inaugural session, according to Israeli media reports.

The move followed an initiative by the opposition Yashar party, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, to remove Ohana, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, and install a new speaker.

Yashar had approached the ultra-Orthodox parties UTJ and Shas, seeking their support for an early change in parliamentary leadership.

In a response to Yashar faction chairman Roy Folkman, Asher said replacing the speaker before a new government was formed could create a situation in which the speaker and the incoming government were at odds.

He argued that the appointment should take place alongside the formation of a new government to avoid potential conflicts.

Under the proposed arrangement, the opposition wants greater influence over parliamentary proceedings, including legislation, committee formation and the legislative agenda.

Speaker Amir Ohana has said he would arrange an early vote on his replacement if at least 61 lawmakers formally request one. However, he has maintained that the customary time to elect a new speaker is when a government is formed.

Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked Eisenkot with forming the next government following consultations with political parties. The opposition bloc secured recommendations from lawmakers representing 67 seats, while Netanyahu’s bloc received recommendations from representatives of 46 seats. UTJ, which holds seven seats, did not recommend either candidate.

The opposition’s efforts to form a government remain complicated by disagreements over political arrangements and the selection of a candidate to replace Ohana as speaker.

If the parties fail to reach an agreement on forming a government, Israel could face another round of political uncertainty.