Israel's 26th Knesset Sworn In Amid Government Formation Efforts
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Israel's 26th Knesset was sworn in today in Jerusalem, while Gadi Eisenkot works to form a government. The "Change Bloc" is negotiating with Haredi parties for support, offering a softened conscription law. Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman are leading these talks, though internal suspicions exist about separate negotiations. Incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a unity government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The 26th Knesset was sworn in today in Jerusalem.
- Gadi Eisenkot is working to form a government after receiving a mandate.
- Change Bloc parties are negotiating with Haredi parties for government support.
- A softened conscription law is being proposed to Haredi parties.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a unity government.
The 26th Knesset was sworn in today, Tuesday, at the Knesset building in Jerusalem. Newly elected members of Knesset and President Yitzhak Herzog attended a series of ceremonial events starting in the morning. The first session commenced at 4:00 PM in the plenum hall, where the MKs were sworn in sequentially.
The swearing-in occurs while Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, is actively working to form a government, having received a mandate from President Herzog for this task. Reports indicate that leaders of the "Change Bloc" parties have agreed to initiate talks with the Haredi parties, with a potential softened conscription law proposed in exchange for their support in establishing a government.
Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, have agreed to attempt negotiations with the Haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism. Their proposal involves Haredi support for a government led by Eisenkot in return for a "softened" conscription law. Both parties have presented their own draft conscription plans, and the "Change Bloc" leaders await a response from the Haredi parties. Eisenkot and Lieberman also agreed on the identity of the next Knesset speaker.
While Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Together party, and Lieberman decided to let Eisenkot lead the negotiations with the Haredi parties as the bloc's leader, members of Together and National Unity suspect Lieberman is conducting separate discussions with the Haredi parties. MKs from Bennett's party intend to demand clarifications on the extent of concessions the party is willing to make regarding the proposed conscription law during a faction meeting tomorrow.
Meanwhile, incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the formation of a unity government, stating, "It is a necessary need. I am ready to enter into discussions now with any party that wants to discuss this matter." Sources close to Netanyahu claim that a representative sent to Eisenkot was "rejected outright."
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