Israel's 26th Knesset Convenes with Oaths and Robotic Welcome
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Israel's 26th Knesset convenes today in Jerusalem with 120 members taking their oaths of allegiance in a ceremony led by President Isaac Herzog. The opening session includes a formal reception for the President, remarks by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and interim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a tribute to fallen soldiers. New lawmakers will be greeted by robots at the visitor center, and the ceremony will conclude with the national anthem and a toast.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- 120 members of Israel's 26th Knesset will take their oaths of allegiance in Jerusalem today.
- President Isaac Herzog will open the Knesset's festive opening session at 4:00 PM.
- Interim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana will attend the opening.
- Two robots, "Mr. Weil" and "Mrs. Sha'agal," will greet visitors at the Knesset.
- MK Avi Harosh will recite a psalm in memory of his son, Sgt. Rif Harosh, killed in Gaza.
- The ceremony will feature a presidential reception, wreath-laying, and performances of "Hatikvah."
The 26th Knesset will convene for its opening session today in Jerusalem, where all 120 newly elected members will take their oaths of allegiance. President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to open the proceedings at 4:00 PM, with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and interim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also in attendance. The day's events commence at 8:00 AM with the arrival of the Knesset members at the plenum. New lawmakers will receive lapel flowers and participate in official photo sessions with their families. Two robots, "Mr. Weil" and "Mrs. Sha'agal," have joined the Knesset's visitor center staff to greet attendees.
A formal reception for President Herzog will begin at 3:20 PM in front of the Knesset building, featuring an honor guard and a trumpet fanfare by the IDF orchestra. Following a review of the honor guard, the President will lay a wreath at the memorial for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, and inscribe a greeting in the Presidents' Book. Inside the plenum, Knesset Secretary Dan Marzouk will announce the President's arrival, followed by three trumpet blasts. President Herzog will officially open the session with three gavel strikes, deliver remarks, and then invite Speaker Ohana to take his oath. The Speaker will then assume control of the session.
After the Speaker's address, Secretary Marzouk will call each Knesset member by name to take their oath of office, responding "I pledge" or "I shall pledge." During the ceremony, MK Avi Harosh will recite Psalm 122, a tribute to his son, Sergeant Rif Harosh, who fell in battle in Gaza in April 2024. Video clips of David Ben-Gurion reading the Declaration of Independence will be shown on screens, and the children's choir "Perach Ashkelon" will perform "Hatikvah" at the session's conclusion.
Following the plenum session, party leaders will gather for a traditional photograph in the Sha'agal Hall. Ohana and Netanyahu will deliver speeches, and the event will conclude with the Speaker's blessing over wine and a toast to the new Knesset.
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