Israel's 20th Knesset Sworn In

JERUSALEM, Israel -- Members of Israel's 20th Knesset took the oath of office Tuesday.

Nearly 40 new members took their places in the 120-seat parliament.

A record 29 women hold Knesset seats, nearly one-quarter of the total. This comes just days after the U.N. Human Rights Council singled out Israel as the world's only country that infringes on women's rights.

An honor guard welcomed Israeli President Reuven Rivlin as he entered the plaza in front of the parliament building. Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein escorted him inside.

In his address, Reuven admonished Knesset members to put the election behind them to tackle the complex issues facing the state. He also urged parties participating in coalition talks to complete negotiations as quickly as possible.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the newly installed parliamentarians that he is the prime minister of all Israelis, those who voted for him and those who didn't.

Netanyahu said his door is open everyone serving in the 20th Knesset and would remain so.

Topping the list, he said, is healing the divisions and tackling the complex issues facing the Jewish state.

"I will form a government that will work for the public," Netanyahu said, "and our first mission will be to heal the rifts and unite around issues the public deems important." He said he's "committed to lowering the high cost of living and housing prices."

As in past years, most of the Arab MKs left the plenum before the national anthem, Hatikvah (the hope), closed the ceremonies. The national anthem, which speaks of the 2,000-year-old dream of returning to Jerusalem, offends them.

MK Ayman Odeh, leader of the Joint Arab List, did not leave with the others, explaining afterward that he chose to protest the national anthem by standing in silence.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has several weeks to form Israel's governing coalition within the Knesset.