Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn into Israel's new parliament on Tuesday following his victory in April 9 elections and will seek to form a governing coalition in the days ahead. Netanyahu was among the 120 members of the Knesset, or parliament, sworn in during an official ceremony.
Stormy sessions could be in store for lawmakers, as they work to resolve key religious and state issues, and await a possible proposal that would shield Netanyahu from prosecution. The premier faces potential indictment in the months ahead on charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust.
Netanyahu's Likud party won 35 seats in the election, the same as his main opponents from the centrist Blue and White alliance, led by ex-military chief Benny Gantz. But support from smaller right-wing parties allied to Likud led to a majority of 65 lawmakers backing Netanyahu to remain as premier for a fifth term.
On April 17, President Reuven Rivlin tasked Netanyahu with building a government. He has 28 days to do so, with a possible extension of a further two weeks. Netanyahu said in remarks to party members on Tuesday ahead of his swearing in that tough negotiations meant he may have to request the two-week extension.
After being sworn in, Netanyahu, who faced criticism during the campaign for comments seen as demonising Israeli Arabs, said "we shall continue to act for the benefit of every Israeli citizen without exception." "We live in a rough environment which does not cease to make noise," he said in a speech. "The Arab spring - that's what they call it - has not brought an end to instability, which strikes not only at our region but broad swathes of territory around us."
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