Israeli Knesset Swears In, Netanyahu Calls for National Unity Government

The 26th Knesset was sworn in on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Knesset building in Jerusalem. Newly elected members arrived throughout the morning for symbolic events, with the first official session commencing at 4:00 PM in the main assembly hall, where they took their oaths individually.

As the Knesset members were sworn in, Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yishar party, was working to form a government, having been tasked by President Isaac Herzog. Meanwhile, leaders of the "Change Bloc" parties reportedly agreed to begin talks with the ultra-Orthodox parties, potentially on a relaxed conscription framework in exchange for support in forming the government.

Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, agreed to negotiate with the Shas and United Torah Judaism parties, which have proposed a "relaxed" mandatory conscription law in return for their support for Eisenkot's government. Both parties have outlined their conscription proposals, and the Change Bloc leaders await a response. Eisenkot and Lieberman also agreed on the next Knesset speaker.

In parallel, Naftali Bennett, leader of the Yamina party, discussed coalition talks with Lieberman, deciding that Eisenkot would lead negotiations with the ultra-Orthodox parties as bloc leader, though Lieberman would conduct separate talks. MKs from Bennett's party are expected to seek clarification on the extent of concessions regarding the conscription law at a bloc meeting the following day.

Separately, outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the formation of a national unity government, stating it was an "absolute necessity" and expressing readiness to begin discussions immediately with any party interested.