Benjamin Netanyahu says "Are you prepared" as he warns against a coalition with Arab parties

Israel’s incoming legislature held its first session Tuesday as opposition lawmakers introduced proposals, including Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party plan for an official inquiry into the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 attack, repeal of Netanyahu’s court-curbing laws, and a cap on prime ministerial tenure. Netanyahu, still interim premier while a government is formed, responded in a speech by describing the Arab parties Joint List and Ra’am—possible Eisenkot partners—as backers of terrorism. He pushed instead for a broad coalition that would keep him in power. Eisenkot’s bloc is 13 seats short of the 61 needed and has about six weeks to build a majority; the two Arab parties hold 19 seats and have offered support, though Eisenkot has set conditions and some allies oppose such a partnership. Netanyahu also cautioned against a government that would need their backing.