The key facts

  • The 26th Knesset opened its first session with a swearing-in ceremony for 120 members
  • Herzog urged members to avoid repeat elections and serve the full term
  • Eiskot received the mandate to form a government: 67 recommendations versus 46 for Netanyahu

First session of the new parliament

The Knesset of the 26th convocation opened its first session on Tuesday with a swearing-in ceremony attended by 120 newly elected members. This was reported by the Turkish agency Anadolu, citing the Israeli outlet Ynet. The session took place against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations on forming a new government.

The president's appeal

President Isaac Herzog called on the members to do everything possible to avoid repeat elections, noting that voters are 'yearning for normalcy, security and calm.' He urged the parliament to serve its full term and address the challenges facing the country, adding that a nation is tested not only in moments of heroism but also in everyday life. Herzog also called on the members to cooperate and seek compromises, including with political opponents.

Battle for the speaker's post and Eiskot's mandate

The opening of the session coincided with the submission of the signatures needed to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana with Matan Kahana from Gadi Eiskot's Yashar party — a move that strengthens the bloc seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Ynet. On Sunday, Herzog tasked Eiskot with forming a government after the parliamentary elections gave a majority neither to his bloc nor to Netanyahu's alliance: factions representing 67 of the 120 members recommended Eiskot for the mandate, while 46 supported Netanyahu; a seven-member faction recommended no candidate. Eiskot has 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension of up to 14 days.