Israel's new parliament sworn in as coalition talks begin

New parliament sworn in

Israel's new parliament has been sworn in as opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot seeks to oust caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Eisenkot gets the task

President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming a government after he received more Knesset recommendations than Netanyahu, though neither has a majority.

The seat count

Eisenkot's bloc won forty eight seats in October's election, Netanyahu's won fifty three, leaving both short of a majority in the one hundred twenty seat Knesset.

Eisenkot's four principles

Eisenkot called for a national emergency government with four requirements: recognition of Israel as Jewish and democratic, accepting the Declaration of Independence values, mandatory military or civilian service for all, and recognising Hamas as terrorist.

“require creative and unconventional political steps”

Arab parties hold balance

Arab-led alliances won a record nineteen seats between them. The United Arab List said it would join Eisenkot's coalition, while the Joint List offered parliamentary support from outside.

Ultra-Orthodox obstacle

The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism and Shas parties won thirteen seats and fiercely object to mandatory military service, a key Eisenkot principle and major election issue.

Netanyahu's counter-offer

Netanyahu called for a government of national unity led by him, open to any Zionist party, but warned against relying on Arab parties, saying you cannot form a government with Hamas supporters.

“You cannot form a government with Hamas supporters”