Accusations and Protests as the Knesset Convenes
Two weeks after the election in Israel, efforts to form a new government are still underway. As the Knesset convened, the opposing sides showed no signs of cooperation.
On Tuesday, the Knesset welcomed the parliamentarians elected on October 27. President Isaac Herzog urged them all to find compromises across party lines to avoid the need for new elections.
But the politicians did not heed his call.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appears poised to lose power, used his speech to accuse the Arab-Israeli parties in parliament of “destroying the Jewish state.” At the same time, he called for unity to defend Israel against international pressure to “accept a nuclear-armed Iran” in the near future.
October 7 Commission
In response, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot—who was given the opportunity this weekend to attempt to form a government—wrote on X: “I sat and listened to the delusions of the outgoing prime minister—a hateful and shameful speech. I am more convinced than ever that he is not fit to remain in office for even one more minute.” His party, Yashar, also put forward a proposal in the Knesset to establish an independent commission to investigate any failures that occurred leading up to Hamas’s bloody attack on October 7, 2023—a move Netanyahu has consistently rejected.
Left the chamber
The Arab-Israeli opposition held the balance of power in the election, and Israel’s largest Arab political alliance, the Joint List, has thrown its support behind Eisenkot’s coalition.
During the opening of parliament, the Arab-Israeli politicians left the chamber—according to Israeli journalists, to avoid having to stand during the Israeli national anthem.
By that point, far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had already heckled the leader of the Joint List, Yousef Jabareen, as he was being sworn in.
“To whom is he pledging his allegiance—Hamas?” Ben-Gvir shouted.
