Israel's 26th Knesset must restore dignity, accountability, and public trust - editorial

The Jerusalem Post editorial calls on Israel's 26th Knesset, convening on Tuesday, to restore dignity, accountability, and public trust after a bitter election campaign. It notes political uncertainty as President Isaac Herzog tasks Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, and warns against parliamentary disorder and the speaker election dispute overshadowing the inauguration.

The Jerusalem Post editorial calls on Israel's 26th Knesset, convening on Tuesday, to restore dignity, accountability, and public trust after a bitter election campaign. The new parliament begins amid political uncertainty, with President Isaac Herzog tasking Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, though no straightforward coalition majority emerged. The speaker election already threatens to overshadow the inauguration: Eisenkot's Yashar party has approached Shas and United Torah Judaism to replace incumbent Speaker Amir Ohana of Likud. UTJ chairman Yaakov Asher argues a new speaker should be chosen only after a government is formed, while Ohana says he will arrange a vote within a week if 61 MKs request it. The editorial warns against disruption of the speaker vote, citing the 2020 High Court intervention as a precedent. It urges all MKs to scrutinize government decisions, serve on committees, and debate with respect, emphasizing that the public has fulfilled its democratic duty and now expects the same from its representatives.