Israel's new parliament was sworn in on Tuesday following a deadlocked general election that stripped caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his parliamentary majority. Former military chief and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has received a mandate to form a government, though he and his allies currently lack a majority and have yet to forge a coalition that would allow him to unseat Netanyahu.
Despite the ongoing struggle to form a government, opposition lawmakers are moving to seize control of the legislature. The opposition has requested a vote for a new speaker to replace Netanyahu loyalist Amir Ohana, which would allow the six opposition parties to set the Knesset's agenda and work on key legislation even if they fail to broker a coalition.
Among the priority measures is the establishment of a commission of inquiry with investigative powers into the security failures that allowed the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and the personal responsibility of Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot and his allies have pledged to launch this official probe and reverse many of Netanyahu's policies as part of a legislative effort to undo his political legacy.
The opening session was described as tense, with rival parties trading barbs over the possibility of forming a government with the support of Arab lists. Amidst this political gridlock, President Isaac Herzog has urged lawmakers to do everything possible to avoid another election.