A five-leader opposition agreement has put former religious services minister Matan Kahana forward for speaker of Israel’s 26th Knesset, a post lawmakers must still fill by vote.
A joint statement named Yashar! leader Gadi Eisenkot and four opposition allies: Be’Yahad leader Naftali Bennett, Democrats leader Yair Golan, Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman and Yair Lapid. EconoTimes previously covered the agreement to put Kahana forward.
Kahana is a Yashar! lawmaker and former minister of religious services. Anadolu Agency’s profile says he took part in Israel’s wars in Gaza in 2008, 2012 and 2014, and in the 2006 Lebanon war.
Government negotiations remain unresolved as the opposition seeks to change the Knesset leadership. A request bearing 67 lawmakers’ signatures prompted Ohana to set the Nov. 17 speaker vote, Anadolu reported, citing Yedioth Ahronoth. Knesset members must elect the speaker; until then, Kahana remains a nominee.
