Gantz Voted In As New Knesset Speaker

By Staff, Agencies

Benny Gantz was voted in as the Zionist entity’s new Knesset [Parliament] Speaker Thursday in a last-minute twist that has shaken up the occupation entity’s political system, likely paving the way for a caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unity-led government.

Just hours before the Knesset was set to vote for a new speaker, Hebrew media reports suggested that Gantz would submit his name for the role after outgoing Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein abruptly resigned Wednesday.

Gantz's unexpected move almost immediately caused a crisis in the Blue and White camp, and eventually led Yair Lapid, the party's number two, to split his Yesh Atid faction from the center-left alliance.

According to Zionist media reports, 78 Knesset Members will support the next government, with Gantz becoming the Foreign Minister, while Netanyahu retains his position as premier for the next 18 months.

The proposed plan is that after that time period elapses, Gantz should then assume the role of prime minister.