Israel's new Knesset sworn in as Eisenkot faces coalition challenge

Key Points:

• Israel's newly elected parliament was sworn in, initiating a political transition that may end Benjamin Netanyahu's long tenure as prime minister, with former military chief Gadi Eisenkot tasked to form the next government.
• Eisenkot, supported by 67 lawmakers including Naftali Bennett's party, holds a negotiating advantage over Netanyahu's Likud party but faces challenges in uniting diverse parties with conflicting views on military conscription, national identity, and security.
• Netanyahu called for a national unity government during the swearing-in but faced sharp criticism from Bennett, leading Eisenkot to cancel coalition talks with Likud due to Netanyahu's divisive rhetoric.
• Eisenkot's coalition-building efforts hinge on reconciling demands such as universal national service and opposition to Hamas, while considering alliances with ultra-Orthodox and Arab parties, though these options remain politically contentious.
• Eisenkot aims to restore strong U.S.-Israel relations, pledging bipartisan cooperation and regional diplomacy, while Israel's political future, including judicial reforms and response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, depends on successful coalition negotiations by December 6.