United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher announced Monday that his party will not participate in an effort by Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party to remove Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana before a new government is formed.
In an official letter sent to incoming Yashar faction chairman MK Roy Folkman, Asher explained that UTJ’s longstanding position is that a Knesset Speaker should be replaced only in conjunction with the establishment of a new government, rather than immediately following the inauguration of a new Knesset.
The response comes after Folkman approached Shas and UTJ earlier Monday, seeking their support for an initiative to replace Ohana during the opening session of the 26th Knesset, scheduled for Tuesday.
Asher began his letter by congratulating Folkman on his new position.
“First of all, I wish you great success in your role as chairman of the Yashar faction. Welcome back to the Knesset!” Asher wrote.
He then outlined UTJ’s position.
“Regarding the matter itself, the principled position of the United Torah Judaism faction is that replacing a Knesset Speaker should take place simultaneously with the formation of a new government, and not upon the convening of the Knesset.”
Asher emphasized that his position reflects longstanding parliamentary practice rather than opposition to any particular candidate.
“Our position is that this is currently the appropriate course, and this is how it has been done in the past, with the exception of one isolated case, in order to prevent an absurd situation in which the Knesset Speaker would be opposed to the government that is ultimately formed,” he explained.
He concluded his letter by writing, “I wish all of us a good and productive parliamentary session.”
The refusal comes as Eisenkot attempts to assemble a parliamentary majority following President Isaac Herzog’s decision to grant him the mandate to form Israel’s next government.
Eisenkot’s political bloc has reportedly secured support from 67 MKs for the effort to replace Ohana. The current speaker has indicated that if a formal request bearing 61 signatures is submitted, he will schedule a vote within one week.
Shas has also stopped short of endorsing the initiative, with a senior party official stating earlier Monday that no instructions had been received to cooperate in replacing the speaker.
Although Asher’s response represents a rejection of Eisenkot’s immediate request, it does not rule out future negotiations between UTJ and the parties seeking to establish the next government.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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