Israel's former military chief, Gadi Eisenkot, criticized caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for delivering a divisive and hate-filled speech during the swearing-in ceremony of the 26th Knesset. In a statement, Eisenkot, who is aiming to form Israel's next government, asserted that Netanyahu exploited the parliamentary event to deepen political divisions instead of fostering unity among parties. The Yashar party chairman accused Netanyahu of being unfit for office and expressed his conviction that he should not remain in power any longer. The remarks come amid a political deadlock following the October 27 general election, where neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot has secured enough support to form a government.
The swearing-in ceremony for the 120-member Knesset took place on Tuesday after the October election left Netanyahu's right-wing alliance without a parliamentary majority. The new Knesset now faces the challenge of forming a coalition, with Eisenkot tasked by President Isaac Herzog to do so. However, his path to power remains uncertain as he considers options such as forming a minority government, persuading ultra-Orthodox factions to join his coalition, or negotiating a unity government with Netanyahu.
During the opening session of parliament, Netanyahu called for a national unity government in response to growing security threats from Iran. He accused Arab-led parties and Ra'am of seeking "the destruction of the Jewish state" and emphasized the need for a broad political alliance to face the challenges ahead. President Herzog urged lawmakers to avoid another election, calling for compromise and generosity among rival parties. He also called for a thorough investigation into the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, which he described as a "catastrophe."