Opposition leader seeks Netanyahu’s removal as Israel inaugurates new parliament today

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot looks on as he arrives at the Israeli parliament (Knesset) on the opening day of the new parliament in Jerusalem on November 10, 2026. Photo by ILIA YEFIMOVICH / AFP

Israel’s newly elected parliament has been sworn in, as opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot begins efforts to form a government and remove caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power, BBC reports on Tuesday.

The 120-member Knesset was inaugurated on Tuesday following an inconclusive October 27 election that left both Netanyahu’s governing bloc and Eisenkot’s opposition alliance short of the seats required to form a majority government.

According to the BBC, President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot, a former chief of the Israeli military, with forming the next government on Sunday after 67 lawmakers recommended him for the assignment, compared with 46 who backed Netanyahu.

Eisenkot’s bloc of four parties secured 48 seats in the election, while Netanyahu’s alliance won 53. The two Arab-led alliances secured a combined 19 seats, giving them a potentially decisive role in the negotiations.

Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a possible extension of 14 days. Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.

Speaking at the opening of parliament, Netanyahu called for a national unity government, warning against an administration that would depend on Arab parties.

“To those who are thinking of establishing a government that includes supporters of terror and haters of Israel, or that will be dependent on them, I ask you, are you prepared to be dependent on those whose goal is the destruction of the Jewish state?” he said.

He also argued that a unity government was necessary to confront what he described as the threat of a nuclear Iran.

Eisenkot criticised the outgoing prime minister’s remarks, accusing him of using the parliamentary occasion to deepen divisions.

“I sat and listened to the outgoing prime minister’s delusional, divisive, hate-filled and shameful speech, exploiting a state occasion.

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“I am now even more convinced that he is unfit to remain in office for even one more minute,” he said.

The election has placed the Arab-led parties in an unusual position, with the United Arab List and the Joint List winning 19 seats between them, following increased turnout among Arab voters.

Although Netanyahu has ruled out governing with the Arab parties, they could help Eisenkot secure parliamentary support for a minority government.

The United Arab List has indicated willingness to join an Eisenkot-led coalition, while the Joint List has offered to support it from outside the government.

However, the arrangement faces resistance within Eisenkot’s own alliance. Avigdor Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beiteinu party won seven seats, has opposed a minority government dependent on Arab lawmakers.

Eisenkot has also set out conditions for parties seeking to join his proposed government. They include recognising Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, supporting compulsory military or national service for all communities and recognising Hamas as a terrorist organisation while committing to dismantling its military and governing capabilities.

Those conditions could complicate negotiations with Arab parties, which have emphasised equal rights for Arab citizens and have not publicly adopted Eisenkot’s position on Hamas.

The ultra-Orthodox parties, which won 13 seats, also present a challenge. They oppose changes to arrangements that exempt ultra-Orthodox Jewish men engaged in full-time religious study from compulsory military service, a reform supported by parties in Eisenkot’s bloc.

The political deadlock means Eisenkot must negotiate with parties whose positions differ on key issues, while Netanyahu remains in office pending the formation of a new administration. If both men fail to form a government, Israel could face another election.