JERUSALEM, Israel -- Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony for the 120 members of the nation's 19th Knesset promises to be a festive occasion.

MK Benjamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor), a 29-year veteran lawmaker and the oldest parliamentarian at 77, will serve as moderator.

Tuesday's events begin with President Shimon Peres laying a wreath on the memorial for Israel's fallen soldiers.

Festivities will also include portions of the late David Ben-Gurion's speech on May 14, 1948, declaring the establishment of the modern nation-state, reading from the Book of Psalms, and the swearing-in ceremony, followed by a toast to the new members of Knesset.