New Knesset speaker could be key to ousting Netanyahu as Israel’s PM

Opposition politicians get first chance to take control of levers of power, even as they struggle to form government

Israel’s new Knesset will be sworn in on Tuesday, giving opposition politicians their first chance to take control of some levers of power, even as they struggle to form a new government to unseat Benjamin Netanyahu.

High on the agenda will be replacing the speaker, who wields immense influence by controlling the legislature’s agenda. The role is currently held by Amir Ohana, a close ally of Netanyahu.

Gadi Eisenkot, the former Israeli military chief who got the presidential mandate to try to form a coalition government at the weekend, may take the role himself, Israeli media reported on Monday.