Israeli president tasks Eisenkot with forming new government

President selects Eisenkot

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new coalition government after neither Eisenkot's bloc nor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc secured a majority in the 120-seat Knesset following the October 27 election.

Herzog announced his decision on November 7, and the formal presentation of the mandate is scheduled for November 8 at 5 p.m. Israeli time. Eisenkot will have 28 days to assemble a government, with a possible 14-day extension.

Recommendations and party positions

Following consultations with delegations from incoming Knesset members, Eisenkot received 67 recommendations for the premiership and Netanyahu received 46, according to a statement from the president's office. Representatives of one political party with 7 seats made no recommendation.

In the election, Netanyahu's Likud emerged as the largest single party with 27 seats, while his wider political bloc won 53 seats. The four-party alliance seeking to replace him secured 48 seats. Two Arab-led parties, the Joint List and Ra'am, together hold 19 seats and both recommended Eisenkot to the president.

Netanyahu released a video speech on November 7, stating that a government formed by Eisenkot and supported by Israeli Arab parties "will destroy Israel from within," and he called on the opposition camp to form a "national unity government" with the Likud Group and its political allies.

The Israel Resilience party refuted this on social media, stating that Netanyahu is "the person who divides Israeli society" and only calls for "unity" at the end of his term. The party said the government formed by Eisenkot will only include political parties and lawmakers who identify with the party's principles, including recognizing Hamas as a "terrorist organization," and promising to dismantle its military and governing capabilities.

Coalition challenges

Eisenkot outlined his plan to establish what he called a National Emergency Government, initially based on the four parties committed to replacing Netanyahu, while leaving the door open for additional parties and lawmakers to join.

"Israel is facing a genuine, tangible and dangerous national emergency," Eisenkot said. He accused the outgoing government of threatening Israeli democracy and warned that continued political instability could deepen the country's security and diplomatic challenges.

His proposed government would be based on four founding principles: recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state; acceptance of the values of Israel's Declaration of Independence; universal military, national or civilian service; and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization, alongside a commitment to dismantle its military and governing capabilities.

Even bringing United Torah Judaism into the four-party opposition bloc would leave Eisenkot short of the 61 seats needed for an outright parliamentary majority. The religious Shas party, which holds six seats, recommended Netanyahu to Herzog.

Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister as the political negotiations continue.

Sources

• bbc.com: Israel president asks opposition leader Eisenkot to form government
• xinhuanet.com (in Chinese): Israeli president to authorize Israel Resilience party leader Eshkol to form new government - Xinhua
• foxnews.com: Herzog taps Eisenkot to form government with 67 Knesset nods | Fox News

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.