Jerusalem: Israel’s newly elected parliament convened on Tuesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stripped of a governing majority, while his chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot, moves to consolidate control of the Knesset before attempting to assemble a coalition. The opposition has struck an early deal over senior parliamentary roles, signalling its intent to use its numerical advantage even before a cabinet is sworn in, agencies reported.
Eisenkot has reached an agreement with other opposition leaders on who will hold important jobs in parliament. Matan Kahana, from Eisenkot’s Yashar party, will be nominated as Knesset speaker.
Avigdor Lieberman is expected to lead the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee. Roy Folkman will chair the Arrangements Committee, and Liran Avisar Ben-Horin will chair the Finance Committee.
These roles are important because they help decide how parliament works, what laws are discussed, and how money for defence and other areas is handled.
Eisenkot Needs More Support
President Isaac Herzog has given Eisenkot the first chance to form a government. He has 28 days to find enough support, with a possible extra 14 days.
Eisenkot’s easiest option is to rely on the 19 Arab-Israeli lawmakers. They may support his government from outside the cabinet, giving him the 61 votes he needs. But this could be difficult if his government starts another major military operation in Gaza.
Another option is to bring in the two ultra-Orthodox parties, which have 13 seats. But that would be hard because Lieberman has strongly criticised them over their exemption from military service.
What Happens If Eisenkot Fails
If Eisenkot cannot form a government, President Herzog can give the chance to another lawmaker, most likely Netanyahu. That person would also have 28 days to try.
If that fails too, 61 lawmakers can ask the president by February 10, 2027, to choose a candidate they all agree on. That candidate would then have 14 days to form a government.
If every attempt fails, Israel will hold new elections by the last Tuesday in May 2027, unless Parliament decides to dissolve itself earlier.
The opposition also wants to investigate the security failures before Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. Eisenkot has supported many of Netanyahu’s war decisions, but has promised stronger action against extremist settlers attacking Palestinians in the West Bank.