Eisenkot seeks haredi parties' support to oust Knesset Speaker Ohana on inauguration day

Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party invited Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) on Monday to support a formal request to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana during the opening session of the 26th Knesset.

Incoming MK Roy Folkman, who chairs the Yashar Knesset faction, sent letters to the heads of both haredi (ultra-Orthodox) factions, inviting them to join the effort.

According to the letters, the process of collecting signatures ahead of submitting the formal request is underway, and both parties have been invited to participate.

Ohana has said that if at least 61 MKs formally request an early vote, he will schedule one within a week. That gives him room to delay the vote beyond Tuesday, when the 26th Knesset is sworn in, although he has publicly pledged not to obstruct the majority's wishes.

Support from the haredi parties could strengthen the push for an immediate vote by demonstrating that the demand extends beyond the parties opposing Netanyahu. However, their signatures would not automatically compel Ohana to hold the vote on Tuesday, and the parties seeking his replacement would still need to agree on a candidate.