"Knesset First": Has the Opposition's Battle to Weaken Netanyahu Begun?

The Israeli opposition has begun moves to wrest the Knesset presidency from Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, capitalizing on election results that granted neither camp a majority to form a government. Opposition parties seek to replace current parliament speaker Amir Ohana, a step that could grant them legislative influence even before the identity of the next prime minister is settled.

Israeli opposition targets Knesset presidency to weaken Netanyahu

Israeli media revealed on Wednesday that opposition parties are coordinating their positions to elect a new Knesset president when it convenes on November 10, relying on the votes of Arab MKs who have become an influential factor in parliamentary power balances.

Majority for parliament, not for government

According to preliminary results reported by "The Times of Israel," Netanyahu's camp secured approximately 53 seats, compared to 48 for the Jewish opposition, while Arab parties are trending toward 19 seats.

Thus, if the opposition agrees with the Arab parties, they can gather more than 61 votes, the majority required to elect a new Knesset president. However, possessing these votes does not mean the ability to form a government, as some opposition parties refuse to enter a coalition dependent on Arab parties due to political and security disagreements regarding the Palestinian issue.

Here lies the paradox: parties unable to govern together may agree on managing parliament, while Netanyahu continues to head the caretaker government.

Why the Knesset presidency?

The position of Knesset president is not limited to managing sessions; it grants its holder influence over organizing parliamentary work, setting the agenda, and legislative procedures.

According to the official Knesset website, the president manages parliamentary affairs and participates with deputies in determining topics presented to the plenary, including requests for discussion and draft laws.

Therefore, replacing Ohana could give the opposition greater ability to propose legislation opposed by Netanyahu's government, without holding executive power.

"The Times of Israel" cited Israeli Broadcasting Corporation "Kan" reporting that the opposition is considering nominating Yair Lapid for the post, while other names from opposition parties were raised, without a declared agreement on a unified candidate.

What does the opposition want to change?

According to Israeli reports, the opposition seeks to push for the establishment of an official investigation committee into the failures preceding the October 7, 2023 attacks, an issue causing sharp disagreements with Netanyahu regarding political and security responsibility.

They also wish to repeal certain legislation related to the judicial overhaul plan and discuss changes to conscription laws.

Circulating proposals also include limiting the term length for the prime ministership and legislation that might affect the eligibility of criminal defendants to hold office.

However, electing a new Knesset president does not automatically enact these laws, as each bill requires completing its procedures and obtaining the necessary majority, and some legislation may face legal objections.

Arab voices return to the forefront

The opposition's plan relies on the votes of Arab parties, which gained ground in the elections, despite several opposition leaders rejecting their inclusion in the government.
Arab MK Ahmed Tibi announced the Joint List's readiness to support an alternative candidate for Knesset presidency, even without reaching an agreement to form a new government.

This stance allows for limited parliamentary cooperation between parties differing on core issues but agreeing on opposing Likud's continued control of parliament.
However, the main obstacle lies in Avigdor Lieberman's position, which "The Times of Israel" quoted Channel 12 as saying he does not view replacing Ohana as a feasible step under current circumstances.

This divergence reveals that agreement on reducing Netanyahu's influence does not guarantee opposition unity in voting.

Can Netanyahu prevent this move?

The opposition relies on a legal precedent dating back to 2020, when the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that a vote to elect a new Knesset president must be allowed if requested by 61 MKs.

According to the "Wynet" site, the ruling allows the parliamentary majority to push for electing a new president even before forming a government.

But the success of this step depends on unifying opposition and Arab party votes behind a single candidate, and on the stability of seat distribution after final results are announced.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu continues contacting his allies from the right and religious parties, amid reports confirming his adherence to partnership with Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

Confrontation between government and parliament?

If the opposition succeeds in electing a new Knesset president, Israel may face an unusual political situation: a prime minister continuing to manage the government, and a parliament headed by a figure from the opposing camp.

This would allow the opposition to influence the legislative agenda, but it would not automatically grant them government powers or the ability to pass all their bills.

Thus, while attention turns to government formation consultations, the opposition prepares for a battle that may precede it and affect power balances.