Israel's 26th Knesset Begins Work as Netanyahu's Likud Leads the Election and Coalition Talks Continue
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The newly elected Knesset held its first session two weeks after the October 27 election, with coalition negotiations underway and Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud having won the most seats.
Israel's newly elected parliament, the 26th Knesset, met for its constituent session on Tuesday, roughly two weeks after the October 27 election and before a new government is established. Members were sworn in during the ceremony, launching the next phase of Israel's democratic process.
Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party secured the largest share of seats, winning 27 of the 120, President Isaac Herzog assigned former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot the task of forming a coalition. Eisenkot's centrist Yashar party placed second with 21 seats and received the most recommendations in the president's consultations with parties, giving him the first opportunity to build a governing majority.
Eisenkot has an initial 28-day period to assemble a stable coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension by the president. If he fails, Herzog may appoint another candidate, who would also receive 28 days. Netanyahu is identified as the fallback option should Eisenkot be unable to form a government, ensuring that the leader of the largest parliamentary bloc remains in position to step in if needed.