Knesset Opens With Oaths, Trumpets, and Robots
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Israel's 26th Knesset convened Tuesday with a festive ceremony and the swearing-in of 120 Members of Knesset. President Yitzhak Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the event, which included military honors, speeches, and the recitation of oaths. The ceremony featured musical performances and a video presentation of Israel's Declaration of Independence. The new Knesset session officially began following the proceedings.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The 26th Knesset convened Tuesday with a festive ceremony and the swearing-in of 120 Members of Knesset.
- President Yitzhak Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the opening session.
- The ceremony included military honors, speeches, and the recitation of oaths by all MKs.
- Video clips of Israel's Declaration of Independence were shown during the plenum session.
- Avi Harush, father of a fallen soldier, recited Psalm 122.
- Singer Harel Skaat was scheduled to perform, and the event was to conclude with the national anthem.
The 26th Knesset convened Tuesday in a festive ceremony at the plenum, attended by President Yitzhak Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Preparations were finalized for the swearing-in of the 120 Members of Knesset (MKs) who will mark the beginning of the new legislative term.
The day began with MKs arriving at the Knesset building, receiving a festive flower for their lapels and posing for souvenir photos with their families. Official portraits were also taken for use in Knesset publications and attendance logs. Two robots, "Mr. Weil" and "Mrs. Sha'agal," part of the Visitors Center's guide staff, were on hand to greet the newly elected officials.
The main ceremony commenced at 3:20 PM on the Knesset plaza, where Speaker Ohana welcomed President Herzog. The President arrived with a motorcade and escort of horsemen, and the Knesset Guard performed a march of honor accompanied by trumpet fanfares from the IDF orchestra. Following the raising of the presidential flag and a review of the honor guard, President Herzog laid a wreath at the memorial for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, and signed the Knesset's special presidential book.
At precisely 4:00 PM, the festive session began in the plenum. Knesset Secretary Dan Marzouk announced the "Honored President," and three trumpet blasts sounded before President Herzog opened the session with three gavel strikes. He delivered remarks and invited Speaker Ohana to take the oath and assume the chair. After Ohana's speech, the central ceremony commenced with the Knesset Secretary calling each of the 120 MKs to the podium to declare "I pledge." During the session, screens displayed clips from the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel, narrated by the voice of the first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion. Avi Harush, father of Sergeant Rif Harush, who fell in battle in April 2024, recited Psalm 122.
The session concluded with a traditional photo of faction leaders in the Sha'agal Hall. Speaker Ohana and Prime Minister Netanyahu were scheduled to deliver further remarks. Singer Harel Skaat was slated to perform, followed by a blessing over wine by the Speaker and a toast to the 26th Knesset. The event was to be closed by the "Ashkelon Children" choir singing the national anthem, "Hatikvah."
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