Israel’s new parliament sworn in as Eisenkot and Netanyahu compete for power
Neither Gadi Eisenkot nor Benjamin Netanyahu has a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Arab parties and ultra-Orthodox demands could decide who forms the next government.
Key points
- The Knesset has been sworn in, starting talks on a new government.
- Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been asked to form a government.
- Eisenkot's alliance holds 48 seats and Netanyahu's holds 53, both short of a majority.
- Eisenkot has four weeks to assemble a coalition, extendable by two weeks.
- Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats between them.
Israel’s newly elected parliament has held its swearing-in, starting a stretch of intense negotiations over who will lead the next cabinet. According to BBC News, opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot has received the job of assembling a coalition. He gained more backing from Knesset members who recommended him than caretaker prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu did, yet not every lawmaker supporting him is ready to serve in the same administration.
Neither camp has a majority. Eisenkot’s four-party alliance secured 48 seats at the October vote, and Netanyahu’s alliance took 53. With 120 seats in the Knesset, both remain below the threshold needed to govern alone.
Read also: Herzog gives Eisenkot first chance to form Israeli government
A tight timeline for Eisenkot
Eisenkot now has four weeks, plus a potential fortnight of extra time, to assemble a governing group. Netanyahu stays in post in a caretaker role until a replacement arrangement is reached, and that could take anywhere from several days to many months.
President Isaac Herzog handed Eisenkot the mandate on Sunday. Speaking at the presidential residence, the head of the centrist Yashar party proposed a cross-party administration designed to oust Netanyahu. He said this would call for unorthodox political moves and for parties to set aside their ideological gaps.
Rival speeches in parliament
Right after the swearing-in, both men addressed lawmakers and cautioned them about a rival’s government. Netanyahu raised the scenario of Eisenkot governing with help from Arab parties, and urged a broad unity government to face what he called the danger posed by a nuclear Iran.
Eisenkot hit back hard. He called Netanyahu’s address deceptive, divisive and filled with hostility, and said the outgoing leader should not hold office for another moment.
Arab parties hold a key position
Among the most notable outcomes was how well Israel’s two Arab-led lists performed. The United Arab List and the Joint List together captured 19 seats, a level never reached before, after Arab voters turned out in greater numbers. Nearly half of incoming lawmakers had not been members of the last Knesset.
These parties might decide who ends up in government. The United Arab List, holding eight seats, says it would join an Eisenkot-led coalition. The Joint List, with 11 seats, would back such a government from outside. Netanyahu has excluded working with them, and three parties in Eisenkot’s bloc oppose bringing them in.
Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman and holding seven seats, has not agreed to prop up a minority administration that relies on Arab lawmakers.
Conditions that could split potential partners
Eisenkot has laid out four conditions for any group wishing to join him. Parties must accept Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, respect the principles set out in the nation’s founding declaration, support compulsory service for everyone including groups currently excused, and label Hamas a terror group while committing to dismantle its military and administrative capacity.
These demands may prove difficult. Drafting ultra-Orthodox men, who are normally excused when they study full time in religious schools, was a central campaign theme. The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism and Shas parties, holding 13 seats between them, strongly resist any move to alter the existing system, which every party in Eisenkot’s bloc pledged to change.
Arab parties also reject several of the terms. They stress equal national and civic rights for Arab citizens, who make up about 20% of the population, and most Arab citizens are not drafted. Neither party has publicly labelled Hamas a terror group.
If Eisenkot relied on Arab support from outside, he would still need the agreement of his own bloc. Any backing from the ultra-Orthodox parties would probably come with heavy demands on conscription, which most of his partners might find unacceptable.
Related: Israel’s president opens coalition talks after deadlocked vote
Frequently asked questions
Who is trying to form Israelu0026#039;s next government?
According to BBC News, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked by President Isaac Herzog with forming a government. Benjamin Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister in the meantime.
How many seats do the two main blocs hold?
Eisenkotu0026#039;s alliance holds 48 seats and Netanyahuu0026#039;s holds 53. The Knesset has 120 seats, so neither side has a majority.
How long does Eisenkot have to form a coalition?
He has 28 days, extendable by two weeks. The process could take anywhere from several days to many months.
Sources
This article was written with the help of AI from reports by the outlets listed above. See our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
