Israel's Knesset Convenes Amid Deadlock Over Government Formation
Gadi Eisenkot attempts to form a government after Israel's inconclusive election, while the opposition seeks to leverage a parliamentary majority to strip Benjamin Netanyahu of power.
The Israeli Knesset convened on November 10 following an inconclusive October 27 election that left the country without a functioning government. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the center-right Yashar party and the opposition bloc, was granted the mandate to form a government on November 7 after receiving recommendations from 67 of the 120 lawmakers.
While Benjamin Netanyahu remains the caretaker prime minister, he faces a legislative deadlock. Netanyahu's right-wing alliance won 53 seats, but the opposition's 48 seats combined with 19 from Arab parties create a 67-seat majority. Eisenkot must now secure a stable 61-seat coalition, a task complicated by the reluctance of some Jewish allies to partner with Arab-led parties.
The opposition intends to use its parliamentary majority to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana with nominee Matan Kahana and appoint Avigdor Lieberman and Liran Avishar Ben-Horin to lead the Foreign Affairs and Defense and Finance committees, respectively. Legislative priorities for the bloc include repealing the March 2025 judicial selection amendment, implementing a two-term limit for prime ministers, and establishing a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks.
If Eisenkot fails to form a government in the coming weeks, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, triggering a second round of elections.
