New Knesset Swears In Amid Government Formation Talks
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
The 26th Knesset was sworn in today in Jerusalem, while Gadi Eisenkot leads efforts to form a new government. Consultations are underway with ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, regarding a potential coalition and a revised conscription law. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a national unity government. The swearing-in ceremony and ongoing negotiations mark a critical juncture for Israeli politics.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The 26th Knesset was sworn in today in Jerusalem, with Gadi Eisenkot tasked with forming the next government.
- Eisenkot's bloc is negotiating with ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism for coalition support.
- A key issue in coalition talks is a proposed, more lenient conscription law for the ultra-Orthodox community.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the formation of a national unity government.
- Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett are also involved in political discussions regarding coalition formation.
The 26th Knesset convened today, Tuesday, in Jerusalem for its opening session, with newly elected members taking their constitutional oath. Concurrently, political consultations are ongoing to form the next government, led by Gadi Eisenkot, head of the "Yashar!" party, who has been tasked by Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog to assemble a coalition. The day's proceedings began with the arrival of Knesset members for official and symbolic events, culminating in a state reception for the president at 3 p.m. and the swearing-in ceremony at 4 p.m. The session will include speeches from the Knesset speaker and the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Amid preparations for the new parliamentary term, political efforts are underway to establish a government under Eisenkot's leadership. The "Change bloc" is reportedly exploring negotiations with the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, aiming to secure their inclusion in the upcoming coalition. This move follows a meeting between Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman, head of the "Yisrael Beiteinu" party, where they agreed to pursue talks with the ultra-Orthodox parties, who have presented proposals regarding conscription and conditions for supporting an Eisenkot government.
Eisenkot is leading the negotiations with the ultra-Orthodox parties, while Lieberman is expected to conduct separate discussions. These talks are crucial for reaching understandings on the conscription law and the composition of the government. Members of Naftali Bennett's party are expected to question the potential concessions regarding the conscription law during their faction meeting.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the formation of a "national unity government" and expressed his readiness to engage in dialogue with any political parties interested in discussing the proposal. Netanyahu described a unity government as an "absolute necessity." His call comes as Eisenkot works to form an alternative coalition and as discussions commence regarding the potential inclusion of ultra-Orthodox parties, with ongoing disagreements over the conscription law and the distribution of ministerial portfolios.
Mentioned
