Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot, a prominent rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with forming the next government after he received recommendations from 67 members of the Knesset.
The decision followed consultations with parliamentary factions and discussions with political leaders over the past few days. Herzog also met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Eisenkot before announcing his decision, according to a statement from the President’s office.
During the consultations, factions representing 46 lawmakers recommended Netanyahu, who also leads the Likud party, while a faction comprising seven members chose not to endorse either candidate.
October 27 election left Israel without a clear parliamentary majority. Eisenkot’s four-party alliance won 48 seats, compared with 53 for Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc. Arab-led parties, representing Palestinian citizens of Israel, secured a record 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset.
Eisenkot has ruled out forming a government with the Arab-led parties. Instead, an agreement with the ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas would give his alliance the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. He could also lead a minority government if it secures sufficient support in a parliamentary confidence vote.
Following Herzog’s announcement, Eisenkot called for the establishment of a national emergency government.
“Now is the time to form a national emergency government. I will do everything to ensure we are worthy of the trust placed in us,” he said in a post on X.
The formal presentation of the mandate is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at 5 pm local time at the President’s Residence.
Under Israel’s Basic Law, Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government after receiving the mandate. Herzog may grant him an additional 14 days.
If Eisenkot fails, the President may assign the task to another Knesset member. Should that attempt also prove unsuccessful, at least 61 lawmakers can request that a third candidate be given 14 days to form a government. If all attempts fail, the Knesset will be dissolved and fresh elections will follow.
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Source: The Siasat Daily
