Eisenkot unveils agenda to reverse Netanyahu’s policies as Israel's new
parliament is sworn in
[November 11, 2026]
By MELANIE LIDMAN
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Gadi Eisenkot, the politician tasked with
forming a new Israeli government, pledged on Tuesday to reverse many of
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies as the new parliament was
sworn in.
The pledge sets the stage for a consequential month of legislative
action and coalition negotiations. Eisenkot, a former military chief,
has up to six weeks to form a government that would end the tenure of
Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.
While it remains unclear whether Eisenkot will be able to forge a
coalition government, the new Knesset can enact legislation in the
meantime. Netanyahu's opponents now control a solid majority in
parliament.
Eisenkot's bloc introduced a series of bills at the start of the
legislative session that target Netanyahu and his policies. They include
launching an official government-led inquiry into the Hamas-led Oct. 7,
2023, attacks, setting term limits on the position of prime minister and
overturning changes the outgoing Netanyahu-led government made to limit
the powers of the judiciary. It was not immediately clear how quickly or
far those bills would advance in the weeks ahead.
Competing calls for unity
The former general, who campaigned as a no-nonsense straight shooter,
reiterated on Tuesday that his goal was a government that all Israelis
could trust, not one that represents only certain factions.
“We will act for all citizens of Israel, those who voted for us and
those who did not, out of deep commitment,” Eisenkot said ahead of the
Knesset swearing-in ceremony.
Netanyahu has sought to undermine the certified election results after
his bloc fell short of a majority. He has repeated unsubstantiated
claims that Arab-led parties “stole” the elections.
In a speech following Tuesday’s ceremony, Netanyahu reiterated his claim
that Arab politicians, who represent a minority comprising 20% of
Israel’s population, cannot be trusted. He attacked Jewish opposition
leaders who have signaled a willingness to partner with Arab parties to
form a government. Eisenkot has left that possibility open if the
parties meet several conditions, including accepting Israel’s identity
as a Jewish state and declaring Hamas a terrorist group.
“I ask you: Are you prepared to be dependent on those whose goal is the
destruction of the Jewish state?” Netanyahu said.
Eisenkot said Netanyahu's speech was “divisive” and “hate-filled,”
adding: “I am now even more convinced that he is unfit to remain in
office for even one more minute.” He later said he had canceled a
meeting with Netanyahu's Likud party planned for Wednesday because of
the speech.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and lawmaker Gadi
Eisenkot, pose for a group photo after the swearing-in ceremony for
Israeli lawmakers at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem,
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Netanyahu's opponents already have a legislative agenda
Eisenkot's bloc also triggered a process on Tuesday to install a new
parliamentary speaker as they kicked off work on their legislative
agenda.
A majority of members submitted signatures calling for the ousting
of the current Netanyahu-backed speaker, Amir Ohana, the first step
toward a vote on his replacement. The vote can take place even
before a coalition government is in place.
The Knesset speaker is a powerful position. The speaker determines
what bills the Knesset will take up, meaning one picked from among
the Eisenkot-led opposition parties could propel their legislative
agenda forward.
The opposition nominated Matan Kahana, a senior member of Eisenkot’s
Yashar party, for the job. A vote to appoint him speaker could come
as early as this week.
Netanyahu as caretaker
The swearing-in of the new Knesset ushered in an unusual
transitional period in Israeli politics — Netanyahu and his Cabinet
remain in power, while the new lawmakers can introduce legislation.
Meanwhile, Eisenkot will meet with party leaders as he works to
build a coalition that would likely make him prime minister. If he
fails, Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to give Netanyahu
the next opportunity to form a government.
As caretaker prime minister, Netanyahu faces court-imposed limits on
his powers. But he can still pursue appointments and could try to
block new legislation. He retains full authority over national
security, including the military.
Netanyahu has argued that Jewish-led parties should form a unity
government to counter the threat of an Iranian attack. He renewed
that call Tuesday, urging them to “set aside all other
considerations,” and said Israel should work to topple the Iranian
government.
A governing coalition without Netanyahu could leave him politically
vulnerable as he faces an ongoing corruption trial and possible
findings of security failures in the lead-up to the Oct. 7 attacks.
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