Eisenkot Unveils Agenda to Reverse Netanyahu's Policies as Israel's New Knesset Is Sworn In

On Tuesday, as Israel's new Knesset was sworn in, Gadi Eisenkot stood before the cameras and pledged to reverse many of Benjamin Netanyahu's policies. Eisenkot, a former military chief, is the politician charged with forming the next government. He has up to six weeks to do it, and success would end the tenure of the longest-serving prime minister in Israel's history.

Whether he can assemble a coalition remains unclear. But the new parliament does not have to wait for one. Netanyahu's opponents hold a solid majority in the Knesset, and they can pass legislation in the meantime. On the first day of the session, Eisenkot's bloc introduced a series of bills aimed squarely at Netanyahu and his record. They would launch an official, government-led inquiry into Hamas's attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, set term limits on the office of prime minister, and overturn the changes the outgoing Netanyahu-led government made to curb the powers of the judiciary. It was not immediately clear how quickly or how far any of these would advance.

Eisenkot, who campaigned as a no-nonsense straight shooter, said before the swearing-in that his aim was a government all Israelis could trust. "We will act for all citizens of Israel, those who voted for us and those who did not," he said, citing a deep commitment to that principle.

Netanyahu offered a very different message. His bloc fell short of a majority, and he has sought to undermine the certified election results, repeating unsubstantiated claims that Arab-led parties "stole" the vote. In a speech after the ceremony, he said again that Arab politicians, who represent a minority making up 20% of Israel's population, cannot be trusted. He also attacked Jewish opposition leaders who have signaled openness to partnering with Arab parties. Eisenkot has left that door ajar, on conditions that include accepting Israel's identity as a Jewish state and declaring Hamas a terrorist group. "Are you prepared to be dependent on those whose goal is the destruction of the Jewish state?" Netanyahu asked.

Eisenkot called the speech "divisive" and "hate-filled," and said it left him even more convinced that Netanyahu is unfit to remain in office "for even one more minute." He later said he had canceled a meeting with Netanyahu's Likud party that had been planned for Wednesday, because of the speech.

The opposition also moved on the Knesset's leadership. A majority of members submitted signatures calling for the removal of the current speaker, Amir Ohana, who is backed by Netanyahu. That is the first step toward a vote on a replacement, and the vote can happen even before a coalition government exists. The post carries real weight: the speaker decides which bills the Knesset takes up, so a speaker from the opposition ranks could speed its legislative agenda. The opposition has nominated Matan Kahana, a senior member of Eisenkot's Yashar party, and a vote could come as early as this week.

The result is an unusual transition. Netanyahu and his Cabinet remain in power as a caretaker government, while the new lawmakers are free to legislate. As caretaker, Netanyahu faces court-imposed limits on his powers, though he can still pursue appointments and could try to block new legislation. He keeps full authority over national security, including the military. He renewed a call for Jewish-led parties to form a unity government to counter the threat of an Iranian attack, urging them to "set aside all other considerations," and said Israel should work to topple the Iranian government.

Eisenkot will now meet with party leaders to build a coalition that would likely make him prime minister. If he fails, President Isaac Herzog is expected to give Netanyahu the next chance to form a government. A coalition without Netanyahu could leave him politically exposed, as he faces an ongoing corruption trial and possible findings of security failures ahead of Oct. 7. The first test may be the speaker's vote this week.