President Isaac Herzog has given opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form a coalition government after the October 27 election, with 28 days to secure a parliamentary majority.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has formally given opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form the next government, following elections held on October 27. The announcement was made at a ceremony at the presidential residence in Jerusalem.
Herzog said that in consultations with the parties, a majority of members of parliament, known as the Knesset, supported giving Eisenkot this task. During those consultations, Eisenkot received 67 recommendations for the premiership, while Netanyahu got 46. The seven-seat-strong United Torah Judaism made no recommendation.
Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government, with Herzog authorized to grant an extension of up to 14 days. If he is unable to form a government, Netanyahu could then be given a chance to put together a coalition. If Netanyahu is also unable to do so, the country would return to elections early next spring.
The Oct. 27 election gave neither Eisenkot’s bloc nor Netanyahu’s a clear majority in parliament. Netanyahu’s broader political bloc won 53 seats, against 48 for Eisenkot’s allied parties. The Joint List and Ra’am, the two main Arab-majority political entities, secured a combined 19 seats.
Eisenkot has laid out four conditions for parties that want to join him: they must recognize Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, accept its declaration of independence, support military, national or civil service for all citizens, and declare the Hamas militant group a terrorist group. Yashar said the national emergency government Eisenkot will establish will include only Knesset members who support the four principles, including recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization and a commitment to destroying its military and governing power.
Possible coalition paths include a power-sharing agreement with Netanyahu, an agreement with the ultra-Orthodox parties, or support from Arab-led parties. Yisrael Beytenu party leader Avigdor Liberman said he was prepared to accept what he called “painful compromises” on Haredi enlistment in the military to form a government without Netanyahu or the Arab parties. UTJ chief voiced openness to discussing such a partnership.
Eisenkot himself has repeatedly stressed he will not partner with Netanyahu in any coalition, and that anybody who held a major position of power when Hamas invaded on October 7, 2023, must leave public life.
At the ceremony, Eisenkot promised to give the country leadership that people can trust, that will act in the interests of the public and that represents all parts of society. He posted on his X account: “now is the time for the formation of a national emergency government,” adding: “I will do everything to make us worthy.”
Netanyahu, in a video statement, called for a “national unity government” and warned against “hastily swearing in a government with terrorist supporters,” language he uses to refer to the Arab-led parties. He also claimed that “a government dependent on Hamas supporters won’t fight Hamas,” and warned that “With a government like that, Israel simply won’t survive.”
Yashar responded to Netanyahu’s video statement, which it called “hysterical,” accusing Netanyahu of hypocrisy. The party said Likud and its friends could join an Eisenkot-led coalition if they publicly dissolved their alliance with “extremists,” accepted Eisenkot’s four principles, and were willing to enter a government under prime minister Eisenkot.
The mandate gives Eisenkot the first opportunity to attempt to oust Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, after elections in a deeply divided country. Israel remains scarred by the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, and the multifront wars they triggered. The country’s military remains engaged in fighting Hamas militants in Gaza and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Three French police officers face trial over the 2020 beating of music producer Michel Zecler, an assault captured on security cameras that triggered renewed outrage over police violence in France.
Flash floods killed two people in northern Iraq as severe thunderstorms swept across the region, including Iran. Storm Bruna was forecast to bring strong winds to Portugal, and Japan braced for further snowfall.
