Jerusalem:Israel's newly elected Knesset is set to hold its inaugural session on November 10, where lawmakers will be sworn in, and a parliamentary speaker will be elected, as announced by the parliament on Monday.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, the session will commence at 4 pm local time (1400 GMT) and will feature President Isaac Herzog and other distinguished guests. This event follows last Tuesday's parliamentary elections, which did not result in a definitive majority within the 120-member legislature. Preliminary results indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats, opposition parties won 48, and Arab parties obtained 19. A minimum of 61 seats is necessary to achieve a parliamentary majority.
During the inaugural session, newly elected and returning lawmakers will pledge allegiance to Israel. The first order of business for the parliament will be to elect a speaker from its members. The opposition Change bloc, led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, aims to replace the current Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who is from Netanyahu's Likud party. The speaker, elected for a four-year term, manages parliamentary affairs and represents the legislature to external bodies. Following the speaker’s election, up to eight deputy speakers will be chosen. These officials are tasked with setting the parliamentary agenda and approving questions, legislative proposals, and other matters for debate.
Meanwhile, political parties are actively consulting on who should be appointed to form the next government. Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman has expressed his support for Yeshar party leader Gadi Eisenkot as prime minister, as reported by Channel 12. Similarly, Israeli public broadcaster KAN noted that the Democrats, led by Yair Golan, are leaning towards recommending Eisenkot. The Together party, led by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, has also declared its support for Eisenkot. Arab lawmakers have indicated they might recommend Eisenkot to avert another Netanyahu-led government. If all 19 Arab lawmakers join the opposition in backing Eisenkot, he could secure 67 supporters, compared to Netanyahu's 53.
Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot are against establishing a Palestinian state, despite UN resolutions advocating for a two-state solution. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, is currently facing corruption charges, including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Additionally, he is wanted by the International Criminal Court under an arrest warrant issued in 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians during Israel's conflict in the Gaza Strip.