Jerusalem: Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party and its partners in the anti-Netanyahu bloc have tabled eight bills in Israel’s new Knesset, seeking an October 7 inquiry, prime ministerial term limits and repeal of judicial overhaul laws.
The package was filed on November 10, the opening day of the 26th Knesset. Yair Golan’s Democrats joined Yashar in moving it. All the bills are at an early stage and must clear several readings.
Eisenkot, a former IDF Chief of Staff, has been asked by President Isaac Herzog to form the next government. He won the backing of 67 Knesset members, against 46 for Benjamin Netanyahu, who stays on as caretaker prime minister.
He has 28 days to build a coalition with a 61-seat majority. The deadline can be extended by up to 14 days.
One bill calls for a state commission of inquiry into the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. Netanyahu has long opposed such an inquiry and has preferred a politically appointed panel.
Another amends Basic Law: The Government to cap how long a prime minister can serve. The proposals commonly refer to a limit of eight years or two terms. Netanyahu is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, with nearly two decades in office in all.
Anti-Netanyahu bloc moves to undo judicial overhaul
The other six bills would reverse laws passed under Netanyahu. They deal with the Attorney General’s powers, the Judicial Selection Committee, related Courts Law changes, control of the Police Internal Investigations Department and a media overhaul linked to Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi.
One targets a 2023 amendment that narrowed the grounds for declaring a prime minister unfit. It was widely seen as tailored to shield Netanyahu during his trial, and the Supreme Court had postponed its effect.
The Democrats have also filed a separate bill to bar anyone under criminal indictment from holding office. If passed and applied, it would keep Netanyahu out of the post while his cases are pending.
Netanyahu was indicted in 2020 in three cases of alleged fraud, breach of trust and bribery. His trial in the Jerusalem District Court is in the defence phase, and judges have suggested the prosecution consider dropping the bribery charge in the most serious case. He remains presumed innocent. He has sought a pardon from Herzog without admitting guilt, and the request is unresolved.
The anti-Netanyahu bloc can win some procedural votes, but neither side yet has a firm 61-seat majority ready to govern together.
Netanyahu and his supporters have called the moves politically motivated and have pushed for a unity government, citing threats including from Iran.
