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Israeli President Isaac Herzog has chosen opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the country’s next government, dealing a major setback to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the October 27 parliamentary election.
Herzog announced the decision on Saturday, November 7, after consultations with political parties.
Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and a former military chief, is expected to receive the formal mandate on Sunday.
During the consultations, parties representing 67 members of the 120-seat Knesset recommended Eisenkot, while 46 lawmakers backed Netanyahu.
The remaining seven lawmakers declined to endorse either candidate.
Netanyahu’s Likud party won 27 seats, making it the largest single party, but his wider coalition secured only 53 seats, falling short of the 61 required for a parliamentary majority.
Eisenkot’s bloc secured 48 seats, while two Arab-led parties won 19 seats and recommended him to form the government.
Eisenkot now faces the challenge of securing sufficient support to establish a governing coalition.
He will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension.
His options include securing outside support from Arab-led parties, negotiating with ultra-Orthodox factions or exploring a broader unity government.
If he fails to form a government within the allotted time, another candidate could be given the opportunity, potentially prolonging Israel’s political uncertainty.
