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Calls for unity at Knesset inauguration as coalition talks carry on
The inaugural session of the 20th Knesset took place yesterday in a highly symbolic but largely ceremonial occasion. Meanwhile, talks to form a new coalition government continued.
The 120 lawmakers, including 39 new MKs and a record 28 female MKs pledged their allegiance to the Israeli parliament and its laws in front of their families. Just two weeks after a stormy election campaign, the leaders of all parliamentary parties came together for the traditional inauguration photo. Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein was emphatically re-elected to his position by 103 MKs.
During the session, speakers maintained the theme of unity. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that, “Our first mission is to nurse the wounds and unite around the missions that are important to all citizens,” specifically the cost of living and housing prices. Meanwhile, Knesset elder, Labour MK Amir Peretz emphasised the theme of “love your neighbour as yourself” and commented “Israeli democracy does not incite, it does not condemn,” but instead respects. Referring to an often bitter election campaign, President Reuven Rivlin said, “Now the clashes have ended, and the time has come to return focus to the main actors, the citizens of the State of Israel.”
Rivlin also called for coalition talks to be concluded swiftly, saying, “The public infrastructure is suffering from paralysis for several long months, and we must allow it to return to full functionality.” It is reported that officials from Netanyahu’s Likud Party met with Yisrael Beitenu on Monday and Likud MK Yariv Levin, a member of the party’s negotiating team, said that talks with Jewish Home were conducted yesterday and went well.
Ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas have also embarked on coalition talks with Likud. Representatives of Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu Party are thought to have met Likud counterparts on Sunday. Tension is thought to exist between Kulanu and Shas, with both demanding that they control the Building Planning Committee, which Kahlon views as crucial to reforming the housing market.