Israel: Eisenkot proposes October 7 probe as new Knesset sworn in

The parliamentary bloc led by Israeli ex-military leader Gadi Eisenkot announced a series of initiatives on Tuesday targeting the legacy of current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the new Israeli Parliament, or Knesset, was sworn in. Israel held a parliamentary election on October 27, resulting in neither Eisenkot's bloc nor Netanyahu's securing a majority in the 120-seat chamber.

Eisenkot's centrist Yashar Party and allied parties are seeking an official government inquiry into the Hamas-led terror attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in another 251 hostages being taken into Gaza. The attack, which occurred on Netanyahu's watch, was the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust.

October 7 probe demands

Some media outlets had reported that Netanyahu received warnings from Egypt and the UAE ahead of the October 7 assault. The Israeli prime minister denied the claims and said he would sue for defamation over the publications. In addition to the October 7 probe, the anti-Netanyahu opposition is also seeking to impose term limits on the office of prime minister and aims to reverse the controversial efforts made by the Netanyahu government to reform the judiciary.

Coalition challenges

Eisenkot's bloc landed 48 seats in the recent election, whereas Netanyahu's bloc received 53 seats. Neither has enough seats to form a majority. Arab parties garnered a record 19 out of 120 seats in the new Knesset. During the swearing-in ceremony, far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir harassed Arab-Israeli lawmaker Yousef Jabareen in the Knesset chamber.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has given Eisenkot a mandate to try to form a government within six weeks. Eisenkot's bloc could choose to align with the Arab parties to form a government, but Avigdor Lieberman and his right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party oppose the idea. Yisrael Beitenu, which won seven seats in the new Knesset, is a part of the Eisenkot bloc.

Netanyahu's unity push

Netanyahu, in a speech to the Knesset, called for a national unity government — a proposal which has been ruled out by Eisenkot. The incumbent head of government lashed out at Arab parties and accused them of backing Israel's destruction while saying the national unity government is necessary to confront Iran.

Eisenkot condemned Netanyahu's remarks, whereas Yair Golan, the leader of the left-wing Democrats party, walked out during Netanyahu's speech. The Democrats have eight seats and are part of the Eisenkot bloc. If Eisenkot fails to form a government, Israeli President Herzog could choose another lawmaker, presumably Netanyahu, to cobble together a coalition.