Gadi Eisenkot has pledged to form Israel’s new government as quickly as possible. The aim is to take control of the country after the government of Benjamin Netanyahu leaves power. His statement was made shortly before the opening session of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset.
There, the swearing-in ceremony was held for the lawmakers elected in the October 27 parliamentary elections. The former Israeli army general described his commitment as clear: “I am committed to forming a national emergency government as quickly as possible,” he declared.
He did not give specific deadlines for this process. He stressed the urgency at a time when the new parliament begins work in a changed political climate. The elections have stripped outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies of their parliamentary majority.
The opposition led by Eisenkot is now in a more favorable political position. In the 120-seat Knesset, Netanyahu’s bloc holds 53 seats. Eisenkot and his allies have secured 48 seats.
Netanyahu’s position has been further weakened after seven lawmakers from the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party distanced themselves from the outgoing prime minister’s coalition. To secure the necessary parliamentary support, Eisenkot and his allies may also seek the votes of Israel’s Arab factions.
They have won a total of 19 seats. Among the main priorities on the opposition’s agenda is the establishment of a commission of inquiry to examine the October 7 attacks. The commission would also examine the possible responsibilities of Netanyahu’s government for the failures that preceded them.
The formation of the new government is expected to be a decisive process for Israel’s political future, in a period marked by internal tensions and significant national security challenges.