City
Epaper

Israel's new parliament sworn in amid political deadlock

By IANS | Updated: October 4, 2019 04:25 IST

Israeli lawmakers were sworn into the new parliament, or Knesset, without a new government formed, after tight results in the country's do-over elections caused a political deadlock.

Open in App

The ceremony on Thursday afternoon marked the inauguration of Israel's 22nd Knesset, Xinhua reported.

The event began with an address by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to the newly-elected 120 members of the Knesset.

He urged the right-wing Likud party and the centrist Blue and White party to form a broad unity government after the do-over elections were concluded with inconclusive results, meaning both sides did not win enough votes to form a government.

The Arab-Jewish Joint List's 13 newly-elected lawmakers did not attend the ceremony in protest of wave of deadly violence in Arab communities.

The Arab-Jewish Joint List, Israel's third-largest party, said the move was part of a day-long general strike in Arab communities to urge Israeli authorities to act against the violence.

According to police figures, at least 70 Arabs, Israel's largest minority, have been killed since the beginning of 2019.

The elections on Sept. 17 were the second time Israeli cast their ballots in five months.

Benny Gantz, Israel's former military chief, and his Blue and White party won 33 seats, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud won 32 seats.

The efforts to form a new government are taking place while Netanyahu is entangled in legal struggles that threaten to end his long-time hold to power.

On Wednesday, Israeli Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit opened a series of hearings over three criminal corruption cases in which Netanyahu is the main suspect.

Mandelblit already said he intends to indict Netanyahu with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. His final decision is expected after the four-day hearings.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: israelReuven RivlinBenny GantzBenjamin Netanyahu
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalLaylatul Qadr 2025: Over 180,000 Worshippers Pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem Despite Israeli Restrictions (Watch)

InternationalIsrael: 10 Injured in Haifa Car Ramming Attack, Terrorism Suspected

InternationalIsrael Bus Blasts: US Embassy in Israel Issues Security Alert, Advises Employees To Avoid Public Transport

InternationalIsrael Blast: Series of Explosions on Buses in Suspected Militant Attack (Watch Video)

OpinionsWill Trump Towers be Built in Gaza?

International Realted Stories

InternationalNorth Korea confirms for first time its troops fought war with Russia against Ukraine

InternationalBlast at Iran's Shahid Rajaee Port kills 40; Ayatollah Khamenei calls for investigation

InternationalSeveral injured after Florida ferry collides with another boat, police say

InternationalUS conducted over 800 strikes against Houthis since March 15, claims 69% drop in missile launches

International11 dead in Vancouver car rampage, suspect charged with murder