Israeli President Calls for Unity Government at Knesset Swearing-In

In his speech, the President highlighted several critical national priorities for the new Knesset. He called for a comprehensive investigation into the failures surrounding the October 7 Hamas terror attack to analyze mistakes and draw necessary lessons. Herzog also addressed the sensitive issue of military conscription, urging lawmakers to formulate an agreed-upon compromise for regular and reserve service that respects ultra-Orthodox traditions while ensuring equal responsibility for national security. According to Cursorinfo, this call comes amid reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes a state commission of inquiry over concerns of bias.

Addressing external challenges, Herzog spoke of the ongoing threats from Iran and its proxies, and stressed the importance of strengthening Israel's strategic partnership with the United States to counter political sanctions. He also advocated for expanding peace agreements and reinforcing ties with neighboring Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the UAE, and Bahrain. Domestically, the President condemned violence, bullying, and racism across all sectors of Israeli society, including Arab communities, city streets, and Judea and Samaria, calling for respectful discourse and compromise among political rivals.