Israel swears in new parliament as Netanyahu remains caretaker PM

The swearing-in of the new Knesset ushered in an unusual transitional period in Israeli politics. Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet remain in power while the new lawmakers can introduce legislation. President Isaac Herzog urged party leaders Tuesday to make compromises as he inaugurated the new Parliament session. This Knesset, my esteemed colleagues, must fulfill its term in the face of many tasks. Nearly 80% of the people went to the polls and elected you. You must do everything to avoid a repeat election. The people who chose you long for routine, security, and tranquility. The people you represent here yearn to see an outstretched hand that will bring unity to the nation and hope. A people that carries within it pain, devotion, and sacrifice longs to see you translate those strengths into cooperation, into unifying dialogue, and into listening. Thank Opposition leader and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has the first opportunity to put together a governing coalition. you As caretaker, Netanyahu faces limits on his powers for but retains full authority on national security. your we must absolutely must thoroughly investigate the serious suspicions of foreign entities time. involvement with large sums of money which are suspected of influencing the election results the reason is that we must remove all limitations that attorney general has put on these grave suspicions netanyahu has sought to undermine the certified election results after his bloc fell They are short of a majority.