Jerusalem (AFP) – The new Israeli Parliament takes office on Tuesday and MPs opposed to Benjamin Netanyahu could already make life difficult for the outgoing Prime Minister, even before a government is formed, a task entrusted to his centrist rival, Gadi Eisenkot.

Published on: 10/11/2026 - 11:54

Pending the results of the ongoing negotiations, the absence of a government "in no way affects the prerogatives of the Knesset, due to the principle of separation of powers", explains to AFP Assaf Shapira, researcher at the Israel Institute for Democracy (IDI).

Here's what the Knesset, controlled by anti-Netanyahu forces, could do.

A commission of inquiry into October 7

This was one of the opposition's main campaign commitments: to create an independent commission of inquiry into the security flaws that enabled the unprecedented attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the deadliest day in the country's history. And to determine the possible responsibilities of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Although Mr. Netanyahu denies any failure on his part, his government has constantly opposed the creation of a state commission of inquiry, the only one endowed by law with broad powers and investigative powers.

The opposition can form "a special parliamentary commission which would submit its work to a state commission once the government is formed", indicates Mr. Shapira.

Gadi Eisenkot also pledged in the days following the election to put the Knesset to work on a bill aimed at creating such a special commission responsible for investigating October 7.

Unraveling Netanyahu-era laws

On the legislative level, the new majority also intends to cancel several key texts of the outgoing government coalition, which controlled 68 seats before the elections. Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies now have 46 deputies, compared to 67 supporting the opposition bloc.

Among the texts in their sights: the limitation of the prerogatives of the Supreme Court or even a law facilitating the dismissal of the attorney general.

According to Assaf Shapira, the repeal of these texts is possible since it is "simply a question of canceling and returning to previous provisions".

The process could begin as soon as the parliamentary organizing committee is set up, scheduled for Tuesday.

The researcher warns, however, that the procedure will take weeks and will require perfect coordination of the different components of the opposition.

Elect a new President of Parliament

The first political confrontation will concern the election of the new president of the Knesset, a position currently occupied by Amir Ohana, loyal to Benjamin Netanyahu and deputy of his party, Likud.

The regulations stipulate that this vote can be held as early as the inaugural session of Parliament, scheduled for Tuesday, and at the latest on the day of the inauguration of the new government.

A first exchange of arms took place last week when three parties from the opposition bloc asked the outgoing president by letter to have his replacement elected at the inaugural session.

Amir Ohana reacted on his X account, retorting that the custom is to elect the new president "on the day of the inauguration of the new government".

Assaf Shapira specifies that the law stipulates on the contrary that "the usual date is that of the inauguration of the new Parliament".

“We don't have time, we must act urgently,” warned Naftali Bennett, one of the pillars of the Eisenkot bloc, last week. “We will take control of the Knesset as quickly as possible.”

© 2026 AFP

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