Israeli president urges inquiry into Oct. 7 attacks and warns against repeat election
President Isaac Herzog called for a full investigation of the Oct. 7 Hamas assault and urged parties to avoid another election as the 26th Knesset convened amid coalition deadlock.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog opened the first session of the 26th Knesset by urging lawmakers to "leave no stone unturned" in investigating the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and to make concessions that would prevent a repeat election. He emphasized the need for a national emergency government and called on party leaders to work together to avoid further political instability.
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, tasked with forming a new coalition, said he was committed to establishing a national emergency government as quickly as possible. Eisenkot also indicated that his bloc, though short of a majority, would push for an independent inquiry into the Oct. 7 events.
Herzog noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far refused to create a commission, arguing that a Supreme Court-appointed panel could be biased. The president also highlighted the importance of strengthening Israel’s alliance with the United States and expanding peace agreements with regional partners such as Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
The Knesset speaker, a Likud member, will remain in a caretaker role until a new vote is held. According to Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, the Yashar party has submitted 61 signatures demanding an early vote. Netanyahu’s bloc continues to contest the Oct. 27 election results, alleging foreign interference, but authorities have dismissed those claims.
"I am committed in this complex situation to form a national emergency government as quickly as possible," Eisenkot said ahead of the session. "Israel must fortify the alliance with the United States amid increasing disapproval of Israel among the US public," Herzog added.