The statement comes against the backdrop of advancing negotiations between Yesh! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman over the identity of the next Knesset speaker. According to reports, after days of contacts and attempts to advance several candidates for the position, the sides reached an agreement that Kahana, a former minister and incoming MK, would be appointed to the role.
The planned appointment of Kahana has drawn sharp criticism from left-wing activists and protest movement figures as well. Journalist Shani Ashkenazi called the move "a real horror," and psychologist Yoav Groveis attacked the appointment, saying Kahana "supported the regime coup" and called the protest camp "barn burners."
Meanwhile, as the 26th Knesset opens, internal agreements have been reached among the change bloc factions on the division of key positions. Alongside Kahana's planned appointment as Knesset speaker, Avigdor Lieberman will be appointed chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Roi Folkman as chairman of the Arrangements Committee, and Liran Avishar Ben Horin as chairman of the Finance Committee.
