Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the newly convened Knesset on Tuesday, emphasizing the necessity of an independent inquiry into the October 7 attacks by Hamas and urging lawmakers to avoid a repeat election. The call for investigation comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc falls short of a majority following the recent elections. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, tasked with forming the country's next government, expressed his commitment to quickly establish such an inquiry. Netanyahu has previously refused to instigate a commission for investigation, citing potential bias from a panel appointed by the Israeli Supreme Court. In his speech, Herzog also addressed regional tensions with Iran, advocating for strengthening Israel's alliance with the United States amid growing disapproval of Israel among the American public. He further emphasized the importance of building a stable political horizon in the region, focusing on peace agreements with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. The speaker of the Knesset, a member of Netanyahu's Likud Party, remains in a caretaker position until a new vote is held. While Eisenkot has already gathered support from 61 newly elected parliamentarians demanding an immediate vote, he has yet to secure the necessary coalition for forming a government. If neither Eisenkot nor Netanyahu succeeds in forming a coalition, another round of elections may ensue.
In his speech opening the 26th Knesset session, Israeli President Isaac Herzog emphasized Tehran's ongoing threats and plots against Israel, both directly and through its partners. He urged lawmakers to fortify the alliance with the United States amid increasing disapproval of Israel among the American public due to recent conflicts. Herzog also highlighted the importance of building a stable political horizon in the region, focusing on peace agreements with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. The president's comments come as he tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country’s next government, following elections that left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc short of a majority. While Eisenkot and his allies aim to use their newfound legislative power to move rapidly to establish an independent inquiry into the October 7 attacks by Hamas, Netanyahu has previously refused to instigate such a commission.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a national emergency government as quickly as possible during the opening speech of the 26th Knesset session. This call comes in response to political gridlock following elections that left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc short of a majority. While also short of a parliamentary majority, Eisenkot and his allies aim to use their newfound legislative power to move rapidly to establish an independent inquiry into the October 7 attacks by Hamas. This urgent need for political unity is further underlined by Iran's ongoing threats against Israel, with Herzog advocating for strengthening Israel's alliance with the United States amid increasing disapproval of Israel among the American public due to recent conflicts. The speaker of the Knesset, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud Party, remains in a caretaker position until a new vote is held. If neither Eisenkot nor Netanyahu forms a coalition, another round of elections could follow.