Israel’s opposition moves to replace Knesset Speaker Ohana as election deadlock deepens

Israel’s opposition parties are moving to take control of the Knesset after the 27 October election, even though neither side won a majority. Their first target is the Speaker’s chair, held by Amir Ohana of Netanyahu’s Likud party.

The final count gave Netanyahu’s bloc 53 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, eight short of a majority. The main opposition parties won 48 seats, and the two Arab-led parties won 19. Together, the opposition and the Arab parties hold 67 seats — enough to elect a new Speaker when the new Knesset meets.

Channel 12 analyst Barak Seri reported on Friday that the anti-Netanyahu bloc had already agreed to replace Ohana, with Yair Lapid mentioned as a possible successor. Democrats leader Yair Golan said the bloc also planned to appoint new committee heads and set up a state inquiry into the Hamas-led attack of 7 October 2023, and to replace Ohana even if it failed to form a government.

One obstacle remains. Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman wants Netanyahu out but has refused to rely on Arab parties. Others have asked him to abstain rather than vote against the move, which would still leave a majority. The opposition is also weighing direct election of the prime minister — a proposal reported by the Times of Israel that would need a change to the Basic Law backed by at least 61 lawmakers.

Meanwhile, election officials have rejected Likud’s claim that the election was stolen. Acting elections chief Dean Livne wrote on 29 October that there was “no basis” for claims of systematic violations. The official results go to President Isaac Herzog on 4 November.

Why it matters

The Speaker controls the Knesset’s agenda, deciding what reaches a vote. If the opposition takes the chair, it can set up committees and push for an inquiry into the 7 October attack while Netanyahu stays on as caretaker. It would also test whether parties that cannot agree on a government can still unite against him.

What happens next

The new Knesset is expected to convene on 10 November, when members can elect a Speaker and form committees while coalition talks continue. Ohana stays until a successor is elected, and President Herzog will then consult party leaders before asking one lawmaker to try to form a government.

This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.

Sources

• https://allisraelnews.com/israeli-opposition-moves-to-replace-speaker-ohana-gain-control-of-knesset-leadership (All Israel News, 31 October 2026)
• https://themedialine.org/top-stories/beyond-61-seats-inside-israels-post-election-rulebook/ (The Media Line, 30 October 2026)
• https://www.thedailyjagran.com/world/news/israel-election-deadlock-opposition-gadi-eisenkot-explores-direct-pm-polls-officials-reject-netanyahu-stolen-vote-claims-10334665 (The Daily Jagran, 31 October 2026)
• https://www.mediterraneannews.net/news/279403344/israel-elections-panel-chief-rejects-fraud-claims-as-baseless-says-polls-conducted-lawfully (ANI, 29 October 2026)