The Israeli news site "Walla" reported on Sunday that the Jewish opposition camp is preparing to take control of the Knesset by changing the speaker of parliament and passing laws targeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Preliminary results of the parliamentary elections on Tuesday showed that Netanyahu’s camp won 53 seats (out of 120) in the Knesset, compared to 48 for the Jewish opposition parties and 19 seats for Palestinian parties. As of now, no camp has gathered at least 61 MPs, which is the majority required to form a government.
Government Formation Scenarios
The election results place Israel before five scenarios: forming a government with the support of Palestinian parties, a unity government, Netanyahu’s success in attracting opposition MPs to form a government, forming a transitional government, or holding new elections.
"Walla" quoted unnamed sources as saying that opposition camp leaders held bilateral meetings and phone conversations, and are planning another four-way meeting involving all camp leaders at the home of opposition leader and "There Is a Future" party head Yair Lapid.
Consultations and Government Formation
It added that the most urgent issue is consultations, which will begin on Wednesday (November 11) at the residence of President Isaac Herzog to determine the person who will be tasked with attempting to form a government. It quoted sources in the opposition camp as saying that Gadi Eizenkot "has decided to accept the first mandate and will make every effort to form a government."
According to the site, the next important date that camp leaders are preparing for is November 10, the date when Knesset members take their oath of office. It added that they intend to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (from the Likud party led by Netanyahu), which would allow them to manage parliamentary work and attempt to pass laws during the six weeks preceding the deadline for forming a government.
Targeting Netanyahu with Laws
"Walla" continued: "The camp does not hide its desire to pass laws, including a law establishing an official investigation committee (into the events of October 7, 2023)." On that day, "Hamas" attacked Israeli military bases and settlements along Gaza, killing and capturing Israelis, in response to "the daily crimes of the occupation against the Palestinian people and its sanctuaries, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque," according to the movement.
Since October 2023, Israel, with US support, has been waging a genocidal war in Gaza, resulting in more than 74,000 Palestinian deaths and over 175,000 injuries, mostly children and women, and destruction affecting 90 percent of infrastructure. The opposition also seeks to pass the "Defendant Law" and cancel other judicial laws.
Netanyahu (76) is on trial for corruption charges, including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, which would require his imprisonment if convicted. Israel has had a government from the far right since late 2022, described as the most extreme in the history of Israel, which was established in 1948 on occupied Palestinian land. Netanyahu has been wanted since 2024 to appear before the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza.
Source: Anadolu Agency
Comments (0)