From the Liveblog of
Monday, November 9, 2026
UTJ rejects Yashar offer to join effort to replace Ohana
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher rejects Yashar faction chairman Roy Folkman’s offer to join the effort to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, saying the speaker should be replaced only when a new government is formed.
After Folkman invited UTJ and Shas to join the six-party anti-Netanyahu bloc’s effort earlier today, Asher writes him in response that “the fundamental position of the United Torah Judaism faction is that the Knesset speaker should be replaced alongside the formation of a new government, and not when the Knesset convenes.”
He says this follows past practice, with one exception, and is meant to prevent “an absurd situation in which the Knesset speaker could be at odds with the government that is formed.”
Asher’s letter opposes holding the vote for now, but does not rule out replacing Ohana when a new government is formed.
More from today’s Liveblog:
The Times of Israel Community.