Israel's new parliament was sworn in Tuesday in Jerusalem without a governing coalition, after an Oct. 27 election left caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu short of a majority and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot without a clear path to 61 seats^2,3,5.

President Isaac Herzog had tasked Eisenkot, a former military chief who leads the Yashar party, with forming a government after more lawmakers recommended him than Netanyahu^1,4. Netanyahu remains caretaker premier until a coalition is approved^1,2.

Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc holds 53 of 120 Knesset seats; Eisenkot's four-party bloc holds 48; Arab-led lists hold a record 19^1,2,3. Eisenkot has 28 days, with a possible two-week extension, to assemble a coalition^1,3.

Herzog told lawmakers they must do everything to avoid a repeat election^2,3. Eisenkot has called for a national emergency government and listed conditions including recognizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and treating Hamas as a terrorist organization^1,4.

Arab-led parties have offered coalition or outside support to oust Netanyahu, while several Jewish-led partners, including Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu, have resisted a minority government that depends on Arab lawmakers^1,2,4. Netanyahu has called for a unity government he would lead and said, "You cannot form a government with Hamas supporters," referring to Arab parties¹.

Eisenkot's allies moved to propose a state commission on the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, which Netanyahu has long resisted, and to unwind a judicial overhaul^2,3. During the ceremony, far-right leader Itamar Ben Gvir heckled Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen².

Netanyahu has alleged Arab voter fraud; election officials said they had seen no evidence that would change the result^3,4. If Eisenkot fails, Herzog could turn next to Netanyahu; if no one succeeds, another election would follow^3,4.