Likud weighs tapping MK Elisha Medan for Knesset speaker against Yashar's Kahana - report

Jerusalem Post/Israel News/Israel PoliticsMedan was seriously wounded during the Israel-Hamas War, losing both legs in an explosion in northern Gaza that killed four other reservists in the early stages of the war.Follow us on GoogleLikud MK Elisha Medan poses for his official portrait at the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, a day before the opening ceremony of the 26th Knesset, November 9, 2026.(photo credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)NOVEMBER 12, 2026 17:04Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud is weighing the possibility of putting forward MK Elisha Medan as its candidate to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, against Yashar's nominee, MK Matan Kahana, KAN News reported on Wednesday.Medan was seriously wounded during the Israel-Hamas War, losing both legs in an explosion in northern Gaza that killed four other reservists in the early stages of the war.Kahana's appointment was announced on Tuesday, ahead of the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset, after Yashar submitted over 61 MK signatures to Ohana, demanding his replacement and calling for a vote to elect a new speaker, prompting him to schedule a plenum vote for next week.Ousting Ohana, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud, will give the opposition bloc greater control over the Knesset’s legislative agenda before a government is formed.Incoming Yashar MK and former minister Matan Kahana arrives at the Knesset ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, November 10, 2026. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)Kahana's announcement follows dispute between Eisenkot-led bloc party headsThe announcement came after agreements were reached following an ongoing dispute between party leaders in the bloc, Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett (B’Yachad), Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beytenu), and Yair Golan (the Democrats), over who should hold the role.Kahana served as Minister of Religious Services between 2021 and 2022. He remained an MK until July 2025, when he resigned his seat as a member of the Blue and White party, led by Benny Gantz.He is an IDF colonel in the reserves who served in the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit alongside Bennett, then joined the Israel Air Force’s Flight Academy and became an F-16 pilot.Keshet Neev and James Genn contributed to this report.Follow us on Google