Eisenkot announces candidates for temporary Knesset posts

Gadi Eisenkot said Tuesday that he and four opposition leaders had agreed on candidates for temporary leadership and committee posts in Israel’s 26th Knesset, as he works to form a government. The nominees would serve during the government-formation period, and the Knesset must approve the arrangements before they take effect.

Under the agreement announced by Eisenkot, Matan Kahana of his Yashar party is the bloc’s candidate for Knesset speaker. Roy Folkman, also of Yashar, is slated to lead the House Committee, which is also referred to as the Arrangements Committee. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, is the candidate to chair the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, while Liran Avisar Ben-Horin of Naftali Bennett’s Beyachad party is nominated for the Finance Committee.

Eisenkot said the committee arrangements would be discussed in the House Committee during the week and submitted to the Knesset plenum for approval on Wednesday, November 11. He also said the leaders had agreed to establish special committees, with details to be announced separately. The nominations are not confirmed appointments; the plenum’s approval remains a necessary step.