Israeli President Calls for Investigation into October Attacks as New Government Formation Looms

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has called for an inquiry into the October 7 attacks by Hamas during a speech opening the new parliamentary session, after elections left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc short of a majority. In his address, Herzog urged lawmakers to "leave no stone unturned" and tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country’s next government. Although also short of a parliamentary majority, Eisenkot and his allies hope to use their newfound legislative power to establish an independent inquiry into the October 7 attacks. The Israeli president's call for investigation comes amid political gridlock following elections held on October 27. Netanyahu has previously refused to form a commission to investigate the attacks, arguing that a panel appointed by the Israeli Supreme Court would be biased against the government.

The formation of a new government is now in Eisenkot's hands, who has been given 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to cobble together a coalition. Netanyahu and his bloc continue to protest the result of the October elections, claiming foreign interference after Palestinian-Israeli parties secured a 19-seat bloc. If neither Eisenkot nor Netanyahu forms a coalition, another round of elections could follow.

In his speech, Herzog also addressed the ongoing tensions with Iran, stating that Tehran "does not stop even for a moment in its plots and threats" and emphasized the need to fortify the alliance with the United States amid increasing disapproval of Israel among the US public. The president called for strengthening and even adding to the peace agreements with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, while building a stable political horizon in the region with Israel's neighbors.

The speaker of the Knesset, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud Party, will remain in the caretaker position until a new vote is held. Yashar, Eisenkot's party, has already submitted 61 signatures of newly elected members demanding that the vote take place as soon as possible. Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh reported from the occupied West Bank that these demands have gone unanswered because the results have been certified and every relevant authority has dismissed the allegations of widespread violations during the elections.