Israel's new Knesset sworn in as Eisenkot seeks coalition
Israel's new Knesset was sworn in on Tuesday as Gadi Eisenkot works to form a governing coalition and opposition parties move to control key parliamentary procedures.
Following Israel's election, lawmakers were sworn into the new Knesset on Tuesday amid intense political maneuvering. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who received backing from 67 members of the 120-seat parliament to attempt to form a government, faces complex coalition negotiations. While his four-party bloc secured 48 seats, Eisenkot has up to six weeks to assemble a governing majority.
Opposition parties moved quickly to leverage their combined parliamentary majority, seeking to replace Speaker Amir Ohana and establish a commission to investigate Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the efforts and delivered a speech accusing Arab-Israeli parties of attempting to destroy the Jewish state. President Isaac Herzog urged politicians to compromise across party lines to prevent another snap election.
Sources: BBC News, Cyprus Mail, France24, Sweden Herald, 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
- Sweden Herald — Netanyahu Accuses Arab-Israeli Parties as Israel’s New Knesset Opens amid Coalition Talks
- 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
Earlier coverage
- 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