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

On Tuesday morning, before the ceremony that swore in Israel's new Knesset, Gadi Eisenkot told reporters what he intended to do with the majority his side now holds. The former military chief, who has been tasked with forming the next government, said he would act for all citizens of Israel, those who voted for him and those who did not, out of what he called deep commitment. He also pledged to reverse many of Benjamin Netanyahu's policies.

The swearing-in opens a consequential month. Eisenkot has up to six weeks to assemble a coalition that would end the tenure of Israel's longest-serving prime minister. It is still unclear whether he can pull one together. In the meantime, the new Knesset can legislate, and Netanyahu's opponents control a solid majority of it.

Eisenkot's bloc used the opening of the session to introduce a series of bills aimed at Netanyahu and his policies. One would launch an official government-led inquiry into Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Another would set term limits on the office of prime minister. A third would overturn changes the outgoing Netanyahu-led government made to limit the powers of the judiciary. How quickly or how far any of these will advance in the coming weeks was not immediately clear.

The bloc also began the process of replacing the Knesset speaker. A majority of members submitted signatures calling for the removal of Amir Ohana, the Netanyahu-backed incumbent, which is the first step toward a vote on a successor. That vote can happen even without a coalition government in place. The post carries real weight, because the speaker decides which bills the Knesset takes up, so a speaker from the Eisenkot-led parties could move their agenda forward. The opposition nominated Matan Kahana, a senior member of Eisenkot's Yashar party, and a vote could come as early as this week.

The day also showed how far apart the two camps are. Netanyahu, whose bloc fell short of a majority, has sought to undermine the certified election results and has repeated unsubstantiated claims that Arab-led parties stole the election. In a speech after the ceremony, he said 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 open on conditions, including that such parties accept Israel's identity as a Jewish state and declare Hamas a terrorist group. Netanyahu asked whether they were prepared to depend on those whose goal, he said, is the destruction of the Jewish state.

Eisenkot answered by calling the speech divisive and hate-filled. He said he was now even more convinced that Netanyahu is unfit to remain in office for even one more minute.

The country is now in an unusual transitional period. Netanyahu and his Cabinet stay in power as a caretaker government, while the new lawmakers can introduce and pass legislation. As caretaker, Netanyahu faces court-imposed limits on his powers, but he can still pursue appointments and could try to block new legislation. He keeps full authority over national security, including the military. He renewed his 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, meanwhile, will meet with party leaders as he tries to build a coalition. If he fails, President Isaac Herzog is expected to give Netanyahu the next opportunity to form a government. The speaker vote this week will be the first real test of the new majority.