Israeli opposition pushes legislative agenda as Knesset convenes
Israel's newly sworn-in opposition bloc moves to elect a new Knesset speaker and investigate the October 7 attacks despite ongoing coalition challenges.
Israel's new Knesset was sworn in on Tuesday as opposition lawmakers moved to assert control over the legislative agenda. Tasked by the president to form a governing coalition, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot holds 67 recommendations in the 120-seat parliament, compared to 46 for caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Although Eisenkot's immediate four-party alliance secured only 48 seats, the broader opposition majority requested a vote to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a key Netanyahu ally who controls parliamentary proceedings. Opposition parties also introduced bills targeting Netanyahu's policies and moved to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Netanyahu's camp criticized the opposition's efforts, focusing its attacks on their potential reliance on Arab-Israeli political parties to sustain legislative initiatives.
Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Cyprus Mail, France24, The Guardian.
How outlets assessed this
- Der Spiegel Skeptical Framed Eisenkot's task as nearly impossible due to refusal among supporting parties to work together.
- FAZ Cautious Emphasized that Netanyahu still retains viable options to stay in power despite losing his parliamentary majority.
- Der Spiegel Skeptical Framed Eisenkot's task as nearly impossible due to severe friction among the factions recommending him.
- FAZ Cautious Emphasized that Benjamin Netanyahu still retains realistic political options to potentially stay in power.
- Der Spiegel Skeptical Framed Eisenkot's task as nearly impossible due to ideological incompatibilities among the recommending parties.
- FAZ Cautious Emphasized that Netanyahu retains viable political options to hold onto power despite his coalition's defeat.
Sources
- Cyprus Mail — Eisenkot faces tough coalition talks as Netanyahu clings to power
- BBC News — Israel's new parliament to be sworn in as leaders compete to form government
- France24 — Israel live: Netanyahu bloc targets Arab lawmakers as new parliament is sworn in
- The Guardian — Israeli opposition hurries to seize control as new Knesset is sworn in
- Bloomberg — Netanyahu Opponents in Parliament Move to Undo His Key Policies
Earlier coverage
- Nov 14, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCIsraeli opposition targets Netanyahu's policies as new Knesset takes office
- Nov 11, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCIsrael's new Knesset sworn in as Eisenkot seeks coalition
- Nov 11, 2026, 12:00 AM UTCIsrael's new Knesset sworn in as opposition moves to control parliamentary agenda
- Nov 10, 2026, 06:30 PM UTCIsraeli president tasks Gadi Eisenkot with forming coalition government
- Nov 10, 2026, 04:00 PM UTCEisenkot begins coalition talks to form new Israeli government
- Nov 9, 2026, 01:30 PM UTCIsraeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot tasked with forming new government
- Nov 9, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCIsraeli opposition leader Eisenkot tasked with forming new government
- Nov 9, 2026, 07:30 AM UTCGadi Eisenkot receives official mandate to form Israel's next government
- Nov 9, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCOpposition leader Gadi Eisenkot tasked with forming new Israeli government