The session will be presided over by former prime minister Shimon Peres, now a member of Olmert’s Kadima party, as the the 17th Knesset’s oldest member. President Moshe Katsav will also be present along with hundreds of other dignitaries.

The prime minister’s chair will be left vacant as a mark of respect to Ariel Sharon whose massive stroke in January handed the reins of power to Olmert.

Kadima won 29 of the 120 seats in a March 28 general election, which Olmert had made a de facto referendum on his plan to fix the final borders of the Jewish state, with or without agreement from the Palestinians.

Olmert has already been asked by Katsav to form the next government and negotiations with likely coalition partners are at an advanced stage.