Eisenkot's alliance holds only 48 of the 120 Knesset seats, leaving him well short of a working majority and navigating fraught negotiations with unaligned factions. His bloc moved quickly to challenge the previous administration by introducing legislation to repeal controversial judicial overhaul measures and investigate the Oct. 7 attacks. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has pushed for a unity government around Iranian security threats while casting unproven doubts on Arab voter turnout. If Eisenkot cannot secure a coalition by his ultimate December deadline, the political impasse could trigger yet another general election.
Key points
The newly sworn-in parliament faces severe fragmentation as neither major bloc possesses…: The newly sworn-in parliament faces severe fragmentation as neither major bloc possesses the seats required to govern independently.
Reaching a 61-seat majority will require Eisenkot to win over resistant ultra-Orthodox fa…: Reaching a 61-seat majority will require Eisenkot to win over resistant ultra-Orthodox factions, partner with Arab-led parties, or form a unity pact with Netanyahu.
Netanyahu continues to govern as caretaker prime minister while election officials have d…: Netanyahu continues to govern as caretaker prime minister while election officials have dismissed his unsubstantiated claims of widespread Arab voter fraud.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged lawmakers to "do everything to avoid another election.’”
JERUSALEM: Israel's parliament was sworn in on Tuesday (Nov 10) without a new government, after a deadlocked general election stripped Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his parliamentary majority but left his main rivals with no clear path to power.
Lawmakers elected in the Oct 27 vote took their oaths of office as Gadi Eisenkot, a former general, sought to forge a coalition after Israel's president tasked him on Sunday with forming a government.
Eisenkot and his allies also lack a majority and he has yet to strike deals with parties that could bring him to power. If both Eisenkot and Netanyahu fail to form coalitions, another election could follow.
Presiding over the swearing-in ceremony, President Isaac Herzog told lawmakers: "You must do everything to avoid a repeat election."
"Reach out a hand for compromise, even between rivals ... Look upon one another with generosity. There is much work to be done here, and it requires the ability and experience found in every part of this House."
Justice Department prosecutors are taking action following a September incident at RAF Fairford, a British facility that the American military previously utilized for operational missions against Iran. Three individuals described as Iranian operatives now face formal prosecution for their alleged involvement in the targeted terrorism scheme.
Lawmakers reaffirmed their confidence in the South Dakota senator through a secret ballot following contentious discussions about the midterm election that cost the party at least seven seats. The decision allows the conference to preserve institutional continuity despite facing internal calls to delay leadership elections during a painful transition into the minority. With outstanding races threatening further losses, leadership must now manage conference frustrations while maximizing their remaining time in powe…
Grassroots pressure is mounting against the current House Democratic leader as progressive activists scrutinize his financial ties and foreign policy stance ahead of internal party elections. Opponents argue his establishment alignment and pro-Israel backing clash with the base's priorities, threatening party unity before the new Congress convenes. If he overcomes the internal pushback, he will make history as the first Black lawmaker to hold the speaker's gavel.