Smotrich urges Matan Kahana to refuse Knesset speaker post over votes

Bezalel Smotrich publicly called on Matan Kahana to decline the post of Knesset speaker if he is elected to it with the votes of those Smotrich described as "enemies of Israel". N12 reported the remarks, made as the 26th Knesset was being sworn in, quoting Smotrich as saying that being appointed speaker on such votes is "not legitimate" and that he was calling on Kahana to refuse the role.

Several Israeli outlets carried the statement within minutes of one another. Political commentator Amit Segal's channel and News.co.il published near-identical versions in which Smotrich addresses Kahana directly and tells him to turn the post down. Ynet's alert framed the comment differently, quoting Smotrich as saying that taking the speakership on those votes amounts to a loss of composure, a Hebrew expression closer to "losing one's head".

What the Knesset speaker does

The Knesset is Israel's parliament, a single chamber that passes laws and from which the government draws its confidence. Its speaker presides over sessions of the plenum, controls much of the parliamentary agenda and represents the legislature in official settings. The speaker is chosen by a vote of the members of Knesset, which makes the post one of the first contests decided when a newly elected parliament convenes.

The opening session of a new Knesset is largely ceremonial: newly elected members take their oath of office. The election of a speaker at or near that point is often an early indication of how votes may line up in the new parliament, which is why the identity of the candidate and the coalition of members backing him can draw attention well beyond the post itself.

Who is involved

Bezalel Smotrich is a senior figure on the Israeli right. Matan Kahana is a member of Knesset who, according to the reports, is a candidate for the speakership whose election could depend on votes from members Smotrich opposes. The reports carried only Smotrich's side; none included a response from Kahana.

The phrase "enemies of Israel"

The phrase is Smotrich's own characterisation, and the short reports quoting him do not specify which members or parties he was referring to. The disputed question of whether appointments in Israel's parliament or government may rely on the votes of Arab parties has surfaced repeatedly in Israeli politics, with right-wing politicians in particular arguing that such support should not be decisive. Readers should treat Smotrich's description as his political claim rather than as a neutral account of any lawmaker's position.

How the reports differ

The accounts agree that Smotrich criticised the prospect of Kahana becoming speaker on those votes and described it in sharply negative terms. They differ on the exact wording. Three of the four versions, including N12's, attribute to him the words "not legitimate" and an explicit appeal to Kahana to refuse. Ynet's headline uses the "loss of composure" wording and does not, in its alert, include the direct call to refuse. Whether Smotrich made both remarks, or whether the outlets summarised one statement differently, is not clear from the reports.

What the reports do not say

• Whether Kahana has responded to Smotrich or intends to accept the post if elected.
• Which members or parties Smotrich meant by "enemies of Israel", and whether any have confirmed they would back Kahana.
• When the vote for speaker will take place, or what the expected result is.
• The full text or setting of Smotrich's statement, beyond the brief quotes carried in the alerts.