Knesset Taps Opposition MK Karine Elharrar To Join Judicial Selections Committee

The Knesset voted to approve the nomination of opposition Yesh Atid MK Karine Elharrar to the Judicial Selections Committee (JSC), while rejecting the nomination of Likud MK Tally Gotliv, who defied Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's instruction to pull out of the race.

• The outcome is a major setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ordered his lawmakers to vote against both candidates, which would effectively delay the vote by 30 days. Elharrar's success casts doubt on his ability to enforce discipline among coalition MKs (the vote was taken by secret ballot, four coalition defections were needed to tip the balance).
• Netanyahu is also poised to face strong backlash from Likud hardliners and his radical coalition partners after what is a clear victory for the opposition. His decision to ask coalition candidates to withdraw from the race and the subsequent voting instruction came as he bowed under their pressure not to grant one of the two JSC seats to the opposition, as per the local custom.
• We are yet to hear from opposition leaders, who made the continuation of judicial overhaul talks conditional on the election of their candidate to the JSC. Yesh Atid's Yair Lapid and National Unity's Benny Gantz will hold a joint presser later today to comment on the matter.
• The shekel surged on the announcement of the results as the market reacted to a prospect of reviving judicial overhaul talks, which could lead to a negotiated resolution of a political crisis that has shaken up Israel's political scene. However, the outcome may exacerbate tensions in Netanyahu's fractured coalition, making it more difficult for the government to maintain unified position.