Israeli President Isaac Herzog has formally selected opposition leader and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to attempt to form the country’s next government, dealing a major political setback to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the inconclusive October 27 parliamentary election.
Herzog announced his decision on Saturday, November 7, after consultations with political parties represented in Israel’s 120-member parliament, the Knesset. The formal presentation of the mandate is scheduled for Sunday at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, now faces the task of assembling a parliamentary majority of at least 61 lawmakers within 28 days. He may receive an additional 14 days if he needs more time to complete negotiations.
The appointment follows an election that left neither Netanyahu’s governing bloc nor the opposition alliance with enough seats to form a government independently.
Official election results show that Netanyahu’s bloc secured 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot won 48. Arab-led parties secured the remaining 19 seats, giving them a potentially decisive role in the negotiations.
Although Eisenkot’s opposition bloc does not have a majority, 67 lawmakers recommended him to Herzog as the candidate to receive the mandate, compared with 46 who recommended Netanyahu. The recommendations do not amount to a formal coalition agreement.
Following the announcement, Eisenkot called for the formation of a national emergency government.
“This is the time to establish a national emergency government. I will do anything possible to prove us worthy,” he wrote on X.
The support of Arab-led parties could prove crucial to Eisenkot’s efforts, but securing their backing presents political complications. Their participation in a governing arrangement remains controversial among some of his potential allies, particularly after more than three years of war in Gaza.
Netanyahu has opposed an arrangement involving the Arab-led parties, accusing them of supporting terrorism and arguing instead for a broad national unity government.
Eisenkot has indicated that he is open to cooperation with Arab political representatives under certain conditions, including their acceptance that Hamas must be dismantled.
However, he faces resistance from other opposition figures who are reluctant to enter a coalition dependent on Arab-led parties.
A unity government involving Netanyahu’s Likud party is another possible route, but Eisenkot has indicated that he would only consider such an arrangement under his own leadership. The two politicians remain divided over major political and security questions.
The former military chief has also criticised the government’s handling of security and the attacks by Hamas-led militants on Israel on October 7, 2023. He has pledged to take action against extremist Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, describing such violence as Jewish terrorism.
On the Palestinian question, however, Eisenkot opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state and has pledged to end Hamas rule in Gaza and destroy its military capabilities.
Eisenkot served as Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defence Forces from 2015 to 2019. He previously held several senior military command positions and became one of Israel’s prominent security figures before entering national politics.
His appointment marks a significant moment in Israel’s political contest, but it does not mean Netanyahu has already been removed from office. The current prime minister remains in office while coalition negotiations proceed.
If Eisenkot fails to secure the required parliamentary support within the permitted period, Herzog may give another candidate the opportunity to form a government. If all attempts fail, Israel could face another election.
The country has experienced repeated political deadlocks in recent years, holding five elections between 2019 and 2022 before the current electoral cycle.
For now, Eisenkot faces the difficult task of converting the recommendations he received into a workable governing majority in a deeply divided parliament.
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