Israel swore in its newly elected parliament on Thursday for what could be a very short term after the country's second inconclusive election of the year left it with no new government on the horizon.
The typically festive event was marked mostly by uncertainty, as the two main candidates for prime minister sniped at each other over who should lead the country.
It also came in parallel to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's high-profile pre-indictment hearing on corruption charges, which have threatened to end his political career and contributed to the current paralysis of the country's political system.
Neither Netanyahu nor his chief rival Benny Gantz has been able to build a parliamentary majority with their natural allies. They now depend on each other for a unity government as the only likely alternative to an unprecedented third election in less than a year.
Talks between the two sides appear to have stalled, though, with Netanyahu insisting on remaining prime minister and holding on to his ultra-Orthodox and nationalist partners.
Gantz's centrist Blue and White party is sticking to its election campaign vow not to sit with Netanyahu because of his perilous legal standing.
"The right thing for the citizens of Israel, especially at this time, is for the prime minister to be busy working for them and not preoccupied with indictments," Gantz said at his party faction meeting.
"I call upon Netanyahu: Do not barricade yourself in your position. We will take the reins from here and lead the country for the good of the citizens."
"We need to go together," he said. "This is what the voters decided upon and this is what is right at this time."