New Knesset Convenes With Record Numbers of Women and War-Affected Members
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
The 26th Knesset officially convened on November 10, with 120 members sworn in, including 46 newcomers. The new parliament features a record 33 women, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu beginning his 15th term, and the youngest MK in 66 years. Several members have direct ties to recent conflicts, including those who lost family on October 7 or in the Gaza war. The Knesset also includes numerous former security officials and diverse demographic representation.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The 26th Knesset convened on November 10 with 120 members sworn in, including 46 newcomers.
- A record 33 women were sworn in as members of the 26th Knesset.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begins his 15th term, setting a new record.
- Yonatan Shalev, 24, is the youngest Knesset member in 66 years.
- Ten MKs have family members who died in past conflicts or on October 7.
- The new Knesset includes many former security and military leaders.
The 26th Knesset officially began its term on November 10, with 120 newly sworn-in members of parliament. For 46 of these lawmakers, this marks their first term. The opening day featured a formal ceremony, including a photo opportunity at the entrance, with families and two robots, Mr. Weil and Ms. Shagal, accompanying the new MKs. A solemn ceremony commenced at 3:20 PM, with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana welcoming President Yitzhak Herzog. The president traditionally signs the Book of Presidents before the swearing-in ceremony begins. At precisely 4:00 PM, Knesset Secretary Dan Marzouk announced the start of the proceedings, followed by the president's opening remarks and the swearing-in of the speaker. Singer Harel Skaat performed two songs during the event.
Earlier, 46 new MKs received briefings on parliamentary procedures, voting, and security. The new Knesset includes 10 members from families of fallen soldiers, including Benjamin Netanyahu, Ram Ben-Barak, and Elisaf Peretz, who lost brothers in past conflicts. Limor Son Har-Melech's husband was killed in a terror attack, and six members lost relatives on October 7 or in subsequent events. These include Rafi Ben-Shitrit, Gadi Eisenkot, Michal Negri, Shira Shapira, Sharon Sharabi, and Tali Gvili, who lost sons or brothers. Elisha Madan, who lost both legs in Gaza, also represents the war's impact.
The Knesset's demographic makeup shows 48 secular members, 27 religious, 17 Arab, 13 ultra-Orthodox, 13 traditional, and two Druze. Three members, Amir Ohana, Eitan Ginzburg, and Israel Zari, are openly LGBTQ+. The Ethiopian community is represented by one MK, and the Russian-speaking community by three.
Military service is prevalent, with 88 MKs having served in the IDF, five in alternative service, and seven not serving for religious reasons. Seventeen are from Arab parties, and three did not serve for other reasons. The new parliament also features a significant number of former security officials, including ex-Shin Bet head Yoram Cohen, former Mossad deputy director Ram Ben-Barak, retired police general Yoav Seglovich, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, and other senior officers like Elazar Stern, Noam Tibon, Yair Golan, and Kamil Abu-Rukun.
The 26th Knesset is expected to set several records. At 24, Yonatan Shalev is the youngest MK in 66 years, surpassing Moshe Nissim's record from 1959. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will begin his 15th term, breaking Shimon Peres's record of 14 terms. The Knesset will also see a record number of women, with 33 female MKs sworn in.
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