Posted on 02/17/2003 9:29:13 AM PST by yonif
Members of the 16th Knesset were sworn in today in an hourlong ceremony held at Israel's parliament building.
President Moshe Katsav and former premier Shimon Peres, the longest serving lawmaker, presided, and swore in all 120 members, the veteran legislators along with the new.
The names of each MK was called out alphabetically and each stood up to utter the requisite "I pledge" to affirm the Knesset vow.
About a third of the lawmakers, 38, are new. The Knesset is scheduled to conclude in November 2007, although most recent legislatures have been dissolved in three years or less.
Thirteen parties are represented at the Knesset, two factions fewer than in the last session.
Binyamin Netanyahu, Ehud Olmert, and Nissan Slomiansky are rejoining after sitting out for one Knesset.
Labor Party chairman Amram Mitzna and National Religious Party leader Effi Eitam are two of the new MKs.
The Likud has the largest number of rookies at 17, followed by Shinui at nine and Labor with four.
The new Knesset will have 18 women, the largest number ever. The Likud has seven women MKs.
On Wednesday, the Knesset is scheduled to hold a secret ballot to choose its new speaker. Peres is to serve as acting speaker until a new speaker is elected. The speaker will almost certainly be elected from the 40-member Likud faction, which is to meet on Tuesday to select its candidate.
The main contenders are Reuven Rivlin and Avraham Herschson.
Sharon's old government is officially in office until a new cabinet is presented to the Knesset.
He has until March 8 to establish a new government, but can get a 14-day extension from the president.
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