What happened
The newly elected members of Israel's Knesset were sworn in on Tuesday in Jerusalem. President Isaac Herzog opened the session and charged lawmakers to fulfill their term, noting that nearly 80 percent of voters participated in the election and urging them to avoid a repeat vote.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's current government remains in office until a new coalition is formed. Netanyahu called for a national unity government, warning against cooperation with Arab parties and arguing that only a broad government can address major challenges.
Gadi Eisenkot, whom President Herzog selected to lead coalition negotiations, sharply criticized Netanyahu's remarks and said the prime minister is unfit to remain in office. Eisenkot indicated he would consider a national emergency government and said parties supporting four principles could join talks to build the broadest possible national agreement.
One of Eisenkot's stated priorities is establishing a commission of inquiry into the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. He also set out four conditions for coalition partners, including recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Mansour Abbas, leader of the Arab party Ra'am, said his party is prepared to recognize Hamas as a terrorist group in exchange for what he described as a real partnership and expressed interest in joining the next government. Other Arab parties could potentially support a minority government from outside the coalition.
The article notes that the new Knesset may set a global parliamentary record, with approximately one in ten members having lost a loved one to terror or war.
