Israel’s new Knesset opens amid clashes as Herzog urges lawmakers to avoid another election
The 26th Knesset opened on November 10: the speech published by Israel’s presidency confirms the date and Isaac Herzog’s appeal for parliament to serve its full term and avoid another election.[1]
La Stampa’s November 11 report, meanwhile, describes an opening marked by verbal clashes involving Benjamin Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett and other figures in the political negotiations.[3]
**A mandate is not a formed government.** The president tasked Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government on November 8: this was not an appointment made today.[2]
In the official announcement, Herzog records recommendations from factions representing 67 lawmakers for Eisenkot and 46 for Netanyahu, with a faction of seven declining to recommend a candidate.[2]
Those recommendations concern the award of the mandate; they are not a confidence vote in an already established cabinet.[2]
**Parliament is the first test.** According to La Stampa, the anti-Netanyahu bloc collected 67 signatures to replace Knesset speaker Amir Ohana with Yashar’s Matan Kahana; the newspaper says the vote is scheduled for November 17.[3]
That date is attributed here to the outlet and describes a planned event, not a replacement already approved.[3]
The newspaper also reports that Eisenkot cancelled a planned meeting between Yashar and Likud following Netanyahu’s speech at the opening ceremony.[3]
**Herzog’s appeal.** In the official text, the president urges lawmakers to show restraint, seek compromise even with rivals and build a stable diplomatic horizon with neighbouring countries.[1]
These are the head of state’s political appeals: they do not establish agreement between the parties or newly concluded regional accords.[1]
The fresh development in this account is the contentious start of the parliamentary term, considered alongside the November 10 institutional appeal; the outcome of government negotiations remains to be verified.[1][3]
## Sources
[1] https://www.president.gov.il/en/president-herzog-addresses-the-opening-session-of-the-26th-knesset — herzog-opening
[2] https://www.president.gov.il/en/president-herzog-tasks-gadi-eisenkot-with-forming-a-government — herzog-mandate
[3] https://www.lastampa.it/esteri/2026/11/11/news/israele_la_nuova_knesset_e_gia_una_polveriera-15794372 — stampa-knesset