New Members Prepare for 26th Knesset Inauguration as Coalition Talks Continue

The 26th Knesset is scheduled to be officially sworn in on Tuesday, marking the start of a new parliamentary term. The inaugural ceremony will take place as coalition negotiations remain in progress. President Isaac Herzog recently granted Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party, the mandate to attempt to form the next government.

In preparation for the upcoming session, 47 first-time members of the Knesset participated in an orientation day on Monday. These new legislators engaged in practical exercises to familiarize themselves with parliamentary procedures. A key part of the orientation involved a practice run of the voting system in the plenum, where the new members took turns casting votes to ensure they understand the mechanics of legislative decision-making.

Logistical preparations for the ceremony have also been completed within the Knesset building. A red carpet was installed to lead to the ceremony venue, and bouquets of flowers were arranged throughout the halls and the plenum to mark the occasion. Additionally, the building underwent structural changes to accommodate the new political landscape. New faction meeting rooms were prepared for the incoming parties, and a new seating arrangement was announced for the plenum, detailing where each member will sit during legislative sessions.

Alex Rif, a member of the Yashar Knesset slate and head of the party's olim integration initiative, expressed her enthusiasm for her new role. Rif, who is herself a new immigrant, highlighted her personal connection to the issues she intends to address. She recalled her experience arriving in Israel as a five-year-old child, noting how she felt embarrassed by her Russian and eager to become fully Israeli. She stated that 35 years after that initial arrival, she is now becoming a Knesset member.

Rif outlined specific goals for her term, focusing on supporting new immigrants. She plans to work on initiatives that help new olim improve their Hebrew skills. Furthermore, she aims to create options for them to work in Israel, with the ultimate goal of enabling them to stay and build their homes in the country.

During the Tuesday ceremony, all 120 members of the Knesset will declare their allegiance to the institution. President Herzog is expected to deliver remarks, while Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana will lead the session and also speak. Following the Speaker's address, the Knesset secretary will call the name of each member. The members will then rise in turn to formally declare their allegiance. An additional ceremony will take place earlier in the afternoon in the Knesset plaza, attended by the legislators and their guests.

The swearing-in occurs against the backdrop of a significant political challenge. Both the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the opposition bloc currently lack the 61-seat majority required to form a stable government. Election results indicated that Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats, while the opposition won 48. This stalemate raises the possibility of another election, although the parties are still attempting to reach an agreement through ongoing coalition talks.

Eisenkot has acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating that unconventional steps would be necessary to form a government. Despite these challenges, he has expressed confidence that a workable solution is possible. By law, Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, a period that began on Sunday. If needed, the president has the authority to grant him an extension of up to 14 additional days.

The opposition bloc is also preparing to make immediate moves after the swearing-in. They have sought to replace Speaker Amir Ohana, who is a member of Netanyahu's Likud party. Changing the Speaker would allow the opposition to gain control over the Knesset's legislative agenda, a strategic advantage in the current political climate.