Opposition lawmakers have moved quickly to consolidate control of Israel’s legislature following the swearing in of the new Knesset. Despite remaining too fragmented to form a governing coalition, the six opposition parties have secured enough seats to direct the chamber’s agenda and legislative priorities by replacing the incumbent speaker, a Netanyahu ally.
Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot has received the presidential mandate to attempt government formation within a six-week window. Should negotiations fail, Netanyahu would receive a second opportunity to broker a coalition, with further failure likely triggering another election. The opposition has identified several key legislative objectives for the interim period, including establishing a state commission of inquiry into the 7 October 2023 attacks, implementing term limits for the prime minister that could prevent Netanyahu from holding office again, and reversing judicial reforms enacted during his tenure that weakened the country’s judiciary and attorney general.
Netanyahu responded to the new Knesset’s swearing in with criticism of two Palestinian-led opposition parties whose voters proved decisive in unseating his coalition. Opposition leaders condemned his remarks as divisive and unsuitable for a state occasion. Palestinian citizens constitute approximately 20 percent of Israel’s population, and Netanyahu had centered his campaign messaging around attacks against these voters and their political representatives.
Eisenkot acknowledged the complexity of coalition formation due to conflicting campaign commitments among parties but characterized the removal of Netanyahu as a matter of national urgency that might necessitate compromises. The opposition submitted legislation to the Knesset immediately following the ceremony, with multiple bills aimed at reversing the judicial overhaul and establishing new parliamentary inquiries. The speaker vote is scheduled for the following Tuesday, the final permitted date for such proceedings.
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