# Israel's new parliament sworn in as coalition talks begin

> Gadi Eisenkot has 28 days to build a government after receiving more Knesset backing than Benjamin Netanyahu, but faces obstacles from potential coalition partners.
- Title: Israel's new parliament sworn in as coalition talks begin
- Summary: Gadi Eisenkot has 28 days to build a government after receiving more Knesset backing than Benjamin Netanyahu, but faces obstacles from potential coalition…
- Keywords: israel, gadi eisenkot, benjamin netanyahu, knesset, government formation, coalition talks, arab parties, ultra-orthodox parties, BBC News
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crd939lpzjp9o
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: israel, gadi eisenkot, benjamin netanyahu, knesset, government formation, coalition talks, arab parties, ultra-orthodox parties, news, world
## 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
## Key takeaway

Israel's new parliament was sworn in with opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot tasked to form a government after receiving more Knesset recommendations than caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though neither has a majority.