Wounded IDF veteran could challenge Kahana in Knesset Speaker race

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition faction in Israel's Knesset, is taking control of the legislative body after securing enough votes to elect Roy Folkman as chairman of the Arrangements Committee and as the next Knesset speaker. Eisenkot's coalition is open to various parties, but the haredi parties and many Arab MKs have expressed reluctance to support his principles.

The Arrangements Committee plays a significant role in shaping the Knesset's work before a government is formed. Eisenkot's bloc can now start organizing committees and advance legislation, influencing which proposals get heard and how quickly they progress. The speaker position, currently held by Amir Ohana, is crucial as it will determine the legislative priorities and set the tone for parliamentary control.

Eisenkot chose Matan Kahana as the new speaker, a right-wing, religious figure who has advocated for mandatory military service and opposing various haredi positions. While this choice may appease the Right, it could complicate relations with the haredi parties. The speaker's role could prove pivotal in shaping the Knesset's agenda and Eisenkot's attempts to establish legislative facts on the ground, even before a coalition is formed or a prime minister is appointed.