Israeli opposition nominates Matan Kahana for Knesset speaker

On the morning of 10 November 2026, hours before the opening session of the 26th Knesset in Jerusalem, the opposition parties allied with Gadi Eisenkot chose their candidate for speaker. Matan Kahana is a former minister and an incoming member of the Knesset for the Yashar party. To succeed Likud’s Amir Ohana, he still needs to win a vote in the chamber ¹²³⁵.

Three committee chairs in the agreement

Eisenkot held talks with the leaders of his bloc, including Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman and Yair Golan. Their agreement sets out how they intend to divide up parliamentary responsibilities while negotiations to form a government continue. Alongside Kahana’s nomination, the parties agreed on candidates to chair three committees in the new Knesset ¹²³.

They proposed Liberman, a former defence minister, as chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. For the Finance Committee, they chose Liran Avisar Ben-Horin, who was elected on Bennett’s list. Roy Folkman, a member of Yashar, would chair the temporary committee that organises the Knesset’s work at the start of the parliamentary term ¹²³.

What still needs a vote

The opening session and the swearing-in of members are scheduled for the afternoon of 10 November. Under the timetable announced by the parties, the Arrangements Committee is to consider the proposed committee membership before putting it to the full Knesset on Wednesday 11 November. The Basic Law provides that members of the Knesset elect one of their own as speaker ¹²³⁵.

Sources

1. Moran Azulay, Ynet, « Gadi Eisenkot annonce à ses partenaires son choix de Matan Kahana (en hébreu) », 10 novembre 2026, https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/rkrgrrxagx
2. Hezki Baruch, Arutz Sheva, « Les chefs des partis d’opposition s’accordent sur leurs candidats à la Knesset (en hébreu) », 10 novembre 2026, https://www.inn.co.il/news/710458
3. Keshet Neev et James Genn, The Jerusalem Post, « Eisenkot-led bloc proposes incoming MK Matan Kahana as next Knesset speaker, Liberman as FADC chair », 10 novembre 2026, https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-914426
4. Présidence de l’État d’Israël, « President Herzog Tasks Gadi Eisenkot with Forming a Government », 8 novembre 2026, https://www.president.gov.il/en/president-herzog-tasks-gadi-eisenkot-with-forming-a-government/
5. Knesset, « Basic-Law: The Knesset, article 20(a) », texte officiel consulté le 10 novembre 2026, https://main.knesset.gov.il/EN/activity/documents/BasicLawsPDF/BasicLawTheKnesset.pdf

The story in 30 seconds

Read the main facts at a glance and share the link.

1. On 10 November 2026, Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc chose Matan Kahana as its candidate for speaker of the 26th Knesset.
2. The agreement announced on 10 November proposes Avigdor Liberman as chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
3. The parties say the Knesset is due to vote on committee membership on 11 November.

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