Israel inaugurated its newly elected 120-member parliament on Tuesday, November 10, following the general elections held on October 27. The legislative opening took place amid political ambiguity over the establishment of a governing coalition, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-led alliance fell short of securing a parliamentary majority, prompting opposition factions to launch legislative maneuvers aimed at removing him from office.
Following the inconclusive vote, President Isaac Herzog on Sunday mandated Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief and leader of the Yashar party, to build the next administration. Eisenkot was granted a six-week window to assemble a viable coalition. However, neither major political faction achieved the 61 seats required for an outright majority in the Knesset. Netanyahu's coalition holds 53 seats, Eisenkot's bloc commands 48, and Arab-led parties control the remaining 19 seats.
What legislative steps are opposition lawmakers taking?
Immediately following the swearing-in ceremony, opposition legislators commenced efforts to overturn policies enacted by Netanyahu's outgoing administration. Key legislative initiatives include establishing an official state inquiry into the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, imposing term limits on the office of the prime minister, and dismantling the contentious judicial reforms pursued under Netanyahu's leadership.
In addition, the opposition initiated parliamentary procedures to depose Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a key ally of the prime minister, and install Matan Kahana from Eisenkot's party in his place.
How have political leaders reacted to the deadlock?
During the inaugural proceedings, Netanyahu advocated for a unity government while condemning the possibility of opposition factions relying on Arab-led parties to attain a parliamentary majority.
In response, Eisenkot criticized the prime minister's comments as polarizing. Meanwhile, President Herzog urged parliamentarians to pursue compromise and avert another national poll, highlighting the critical need for governance continuity.
Should Eisenkot fail to secure a coalition within the allotted six-week timeframe, the mandate could be extended to Netanyahu. A failure by both leaders to form a government would necessitate fresh general elections in Israel.