Israel swears in new parliament as opposition moves to oust Netanyahu

Israel has officially convened its newly-elected parliament following the October 27 general election, as opposition parties intensify moves to dislodge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his role and undo some of his administration's policies. On Tuesday, November 10, the 120-member 26th Knesset took their oath, amid uncertainty over the establishment of a new government, following Netanyahu's Likud-led alliance's failure to secure a parliamentary majority.

Netanyahu continues to function as caretaker prime minister while political factions deliberate on forming a fresh coalition. On Sunday, President Isaac Herzog appointed former military chief and head of the Yesh Atid party, Gadi Eisenkot, to form the next government, granting him six weeks to amass enough backing to establish a coalition.

However, the election results have left both dominant political factions short of the 61 seats required for a majority in the Knesset. Netanyahu's coalition commands 53 seats, while Eisenkot's bloc holds 48, with the remaining 19 seats in the hands of Arab-led parties. Following the inauguration, opposition lawmakers initiated legislative motions aimed at reversing pivotal decisions made by Netanyahu's outgoing government.

These proposals encompass establishing an investigative commission into the October 7, 2023, Hamas assaults, imposing a cap on the number of terms a prime minister can serve, and repealing the controversial judicial reforms implemented by Netanyahu's administration. Opposition members have also commenced efforts to remove Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, a loyal follower of Netanyahu, and replace him with Matan Kahana, a representative of Eisenkot's party.

During the swearing-in ceremony, Netanyahu advocated for the formation of a unity government but criticized the likelihood of opposition parties relying on Arab-led groups to achieve a parliamentary majority. Eisenkot rebuked Netanyahu's remarks, labeling them as divisive. Herzog, in his address, urged lawmakers to embrace compromise and avert another general election, emphasizing the necessity for political stability in the country.

If Eisenkot fails to form a government within the six-week window, Netanyahu may be granted another chance to secure a coalition. If both attempts prove unsuccessful, Israel might be compelled to hold another election.