Israel was to swear in its newly elected parliament on Monday under stringent restrictions because of the coronavirus outbreak in what was expected to be a surreal ceremony reflecting the country's unprecedented dual crisis in politics and public health.
Instead of the typical festive gathering of parliament's 120 members, the new lawmakers will be staggered into the plenum in 40 rounds of three each so as to abide by the health ministry's guidelines of limiting public gatherings to 10 people at a time. Israel's largely ceremonial president Reuven Rivlin will preside over the unusual event after the Israeli Knesset, or parliament, was thoroughly sprayed with disinfectant.
