Knesset Swearing-In Ceremony Features Robots, Presidential Address
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
The 26th Knesset's first day will feature a formal swearing-in ceremony for 120 elected officials, including greetings from robots and a presidential address. President Isaac Herzog and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana will lead the proceedings on November 10, 2026. The day includes a formal ceremony on the Knesset plaza, signing the Presidents' Book, and the oath of allegiance in the plenum hall. Newly elected members also underwent an orientation yesterday to familiarize them with parliamentary procedures.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The 26th Knesset's opening day on November 10, 2026, will include a festive swearing-in ceremony.
- 120 elected officials will take their oath of allegiance during the formal proceedings.
- President Isaac Herzog and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana will lead the day's events.
- Robots will greet the new Knesset members as part of the ceremony.
- New lawmakers participated in an orientation day yesterday to learn about Knesset operations.
The 26th Knesset's opening day will be marked by a festive ceremony, including trumpet fanfares and greetings from sophisticated robots. Newly elected members of the Knesset will take their oath of allegiance, pledging "I commit." Preparations at the Knesset building are complete for the swearing-in events, which will begin with the 120 elected officials arriving at the Knesset around 8 a.m. They will receive a festive flower, pose for a commemorative family photo, and then have their official portraits taken for use in Knesset publications and attendance logs. The robots "Mr. Weil" and "Mrs. Sha'al," recently added to the visitor center's guide staff, will also greet the lawmakers.
A formal ceremony is scheduled for 3:20 p.m. on the Knesset plaza, attended by Knesset members and guests. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana will welcome President Isaac Herzog, who will arrive with a motorcycle and horse escort. The Knesset Guard will perform a ceremonial march with trumpet fanfares from the IDF orchestra. The President's flag will be raised, and President Herzog and Speaker Ohana will review the honor guard. The President will then lay a wreath at the memorial for fallen soldiers and victims of hostility.
Following the outdoor ceremony, attendees will proceed to the Speaker's office foyer to sign the Presidents' Book, a specially bound volume where Israeli presidents offer greetings to new Knessets. President Herzog will inscribe his remarks in this book. Afterward, the Knesset members will enter the plenum hall for the swearing-in ceremony, with their families and senior state officials observing from the stands.
Yesterday, new Knesset members participated in an orientation day designed to familiarize them with the Knesset's operations, administrative structure, parliamentary oversight tools, legislative processes, and inter-departmental relations. During this orientation, they also toured the Knesset and had their official profile pictures taken for the Knesset website and their Knesset member ID cards.
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