Eisenkot Bloc Reaches Agreement on Candidate for Knesset Speaker

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1. 12m ago

   Eisenkot Bloc Agrees on Matan Kahana for Knesset Speaker

   Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc has settled on incoming MK Matan Kahana from the B'Yachad party as its candidate for Knesset speaker, replacing incumbent Amir Ohana of Likud. The agreement was reached with Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman as coalition talks continue. The new Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on Tuesday, and the speaker vote is seen as a critical early test for the anti-Netanyahu bloc's ability to control parliamentary proceedings. The bloc is also weighing outreach to Haredi parties and Ra'am to close a 13-seat gap for a governing majority.

   Why it matters

   Eisenkot received the mandate to form a government on November 11 but holds only 49 seats, 13 short of a majority. Controlling the Knesset speakership and key committee chairs would allow the opposition to set the legislative agenda and potentially advance laws blocking an indicted prime minister from serving. The speaker vote, expected early in the new Knesset's term, is the first parliamentary showdown.

   What is confirmed

   • Eisenkot and Liberman agreed on Matan Kahana as the bloc's candidate for Knesset speaker.
   • Kahana is an incoming MK from the B'Yachad party and would replace Likud's Amir Ohana.
   • The 26th Knesset is set to be sworn in on Tuesday, November 17, 2026.
   • Eisenkot's bloc holds 49 seats, 13 short of a 61-seat majority.
   • The bloc also agreed on candidates for key temporary Knesset committee chairs.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Eisenkot and Liberman greenlighted outreach to Haredi parties for coalition support.
   • A senior rabbi authorized Haredi parties to engage in talks with the Eisenkot bloc.
   • The speaker vote could enable legislation to oust Netanyahu as prime minister.

   What to watch next

   • Knesset swearing-in and speaker election on November 17
   • Progress of coalition talks with Haredi parties or Ra'am
   • Whether Likud fields a rival candidate for speaker
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. www.israelnationalnews.com — Israel News | Israel National News
   2. www.jpost.com — The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and...
   3. www.hindustantimes.com — Stock market today: S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq futures fall as US inflation hits 3.7% in September | Hindustan Times
   4. www.ynetnews.com — Great Britain
   5. The Jerusalem Post — Israel Election 2026 live updates: Eisenkot receives mandate to build coalition
   6. The Times of Israel — Eisenkot, Liberman said to greenlight outreach to Haredim, reach agreement on Knesset speaker
   7. i24NEWS — Eisenkot, Lieberman Reach Major Agreements On Government Positions, I24NEWS Learns
   8. Haaretz — Eisenkot Bloc Reaches Agreement on Candidate for Knesset Speaker
   9. Ynetnews — Eisenkot, Liberman agree on new Knesset speaker as coalition talks continue
   10. www.israelhayom.com — Lieberman blinked first, but Eisenkot's real test lies ahead
   11. The Guardian — New Knesset speaker could be key to ousting Netanyahu as Israel’s PM
   12. www.hngn.com — Eisenkot Bloc Weighs Haredi, Ra’am Routes After Likud Talks Canceled
   confidence 92%