JERUSALEM — Israel’s Parliament was sworn in on Nov 10 without a new government, after a deadlocked general election stripped Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his parliamentary majority but left his main rivals without a clear path to power.
Lawmakers elected in the Oct 27 vote took their oaths of office as former general Gadi Eisenkot, tasked by Israel’s president on Nov 8 with forming a government, sought to assemble a coalition. Eisenkot and his allies also lack a majority and have yet to reach deals with parties that could bring them to power.
The stalemate has raised the risk that the new Parliament’s term could be extremely short. If Eisenkot and Netanyahu both fail to form coalitions, another round of elections could follow.
Presiding over the swearing-in ceremony, President Isaac Herzog urged lawmakers to avoid a repeat election. “Reach out a hand for compromise, even between rivals,” he said. “There is much work to be done here, and it requires the ability and experience found in every part of this House.”
Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister until a new candidate manages to form a coalition. His right-wing Likud party’s alliance with far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties outperformed expectations but lost its majority, holding 53 of the Knesset’s 120 seats.
Eisenkot’s centre-right Yashar party and its partner factions hold 48 seats. They could potentially rely on Israel’s Arab-led parties, which hold 19 seats and oppose Netanyahu, to form a minority government.
Such an arrangement could allow Parliament to pursue some of Eisenkot’s campaign pledges, including a commission of inquiry into the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. The Arab parties support such an inquiry, while Netanyahu has largely opposed it.
Herzog said Parliament was “duty bound to leave no stone unturned” in investigating the “catastrophe” of Oct 7, as Israel continues to face threats from Iran and its proxies. Eisenkot could also seek to replace the current Knesset speaker, a Likud member.
Eisenkot has until Dec 6 to form a government, with a possible two-week extension to Dec 20. He has described his path to power as “extraordinarily complex.”
Potential routes include a minority government backed by Arab parties, a coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties his allies have previously shunned, or a unity government with Netanyahu. All face major obstacles, and ultra-Orthodox parties have so far said they will not join an Eisenkot-led government.
Netanyahu has baselessly alleged voter fraud by Arab citizens, who make up about a fifth of Israel’s population. Election officials are examining potential misconduct but say they have seen no evidence of fraud that could have affected the result.
If Eisenkot fails, Herzog would likely ask Netanyahu to try to form a coalition. If Netanyahu also fails, another candidate could be given the opportunity before new elections are called. Among those sworn in was Elisha Madan, a military reservist who lost both legs fighting in Gaza. He received an ovation from the plenum as he stood on his prosthetic legs.