Maariv warned of a possible Capitol-style breach at Tuesday’s Knesset swearing-in as Likud reportedly prepared to challenge Israel’s election results.
Key Developments
- Maariv reported that right-wing activists discussed blocking lawmakers from entering the Knesset on Tuesday and warned of a possible breach.
- Channel 12 said Likud was preparing a court challenge over allegations about apps used to mobilize Arab voters.
- Herzog gave Eisenkot 28 days to form a government.
- Eisenkot invited Likud and Religious Zionism to join and left open the possibility of Arab party support.
Israeli newspaper Maariv warned Sunday that right-wing activists could attempt to storm the Knesset or block lawmakers from entering on Tuesday, when members of the newly elected parliament are due to be sworn in.
According to Maariv, activists discussed gathering outside parliament and preventing lawmakers from entering for the inaugural session of the 26th Knesset.
The newspaper also cited social media posts urging counterprotesters to turn up and confront them.
“The Capitol scenario is extremely worrying,” Maariv said, urging police to prepare for the possibility of a breach.
It also questioned whether the Shin Bet domestic security agency and its chief, David Zini, were in a position to protect the legislature.
The comparison was to January 6, 2021, when supporters of Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol as Congress met to certify Joe Biden’s presidential election victory, forcing lawmakers to suspend proceedings.
Likud Prepares Challenge
Separately, Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu’s Likud party was preparing to contest the October 27 election results in district court through attorney Ilan Bombach.
The broadcaster said the planned challenge would draw on allegations about the use of apps to mobilize Arab citizens of Israel to vote.
The allegations concerning the apps are separate from claims by figures on the Israeli right that Qatar funded Arab parties to mobilize voters. Both Qatar and the parties have denied those claims.
Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, eight short of a majority. The opposition bloc secured 48 seats and Arab parties won 19.
In consultations with President Isaac Herzog, factions representing 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot to form the next government, 46 backed Netanyahu and seven declined to recommend anyone.
Arab Parties Back Eisenkot as Israeli Opposition Remains Split over Coalition
Eisenkot Receives Mandate
Herzog formally gave Eisenkot the mandate on Sunday at the presidential residence in West Jerusalem, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported.
The Yashar leader has 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a possible extension of up to 14 days.
Eisenkot pledged to form a “national emergency government,” warning that Israel could reach a “point of no return” if the current situation continued, Anadolu reported.
He invited Likud and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party to join. He did not mention National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party.
Eisenkot also left open the possibility of relying on support from Ra’am and the Joint List.
The 67 recommendations secured him the mandate; a governing majority will require separate agreements with parties outside his 48-seat bloc.
(PC, Anadolu, Maariv, KAN)
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