Herzog Urges October 7 Probe and Avoidance of Repeat Israeli Election

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has urged lawmakers to launch an investigation into the October 7 Hamas attacks, speaking on November 10, 2026, as Israel's parliament, the Knesset, opened its new session. In the same speech, he called on party leaders to make concessions and do everything possible to avoid another election.

Herzog delivered the remarks at the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset. The appeal for a repeat election to be avoided follows the October 27 elections, which left the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu short of a parliamentary majority. Netanyahu and his bloc protested the results, claiming foreign interference, after Palestinian-Israeli parties secured a 19-seat bloc.

The question of an investigation into October 7 has been contested for some time. Netanyahu previously refused to form a commission to examine the attacks, arguing that a panel appointed by Israel's Supreme Court would be biased against the government.

Herzog has now tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government. The process carries a 28-day deadline, which could be extended by 14 days. Forming a government requires a majority of 61 seats in the Knesset, and as of November 10, Eisenkot had not yet secured that majority through deals with other parties.

Meanwhile, Eisenkot's Yashar party submitted signatures from 61 new parliamentarians demanding that a vote for Knesset speaker take place as soon as possible. The current speaker, a member of Netanyahu's Likud Party, will remain in a caretaker role, meaning an interim position held until a new vote is held.

In his speech, Herzog also said Israel must strengthen its alliance with the United States and reinforce its peace agreements with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.