Herzog tasks Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government
- President Isaac Herzog formally tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government on November 8.
- Eisenkot received 67 endorsements from Knesset members compared to 46 for Benjamin Netanyahu.
- The October 27 elections resulted in no clear majority for either the ruling bloc or the opposition.
- Netanyahu will continue to serve as Prime Minister in a caretaker capacity.
This decision follows the president's announcement that he would assign the mandate to a member of the Knesset.
The move to select Eisenkot is viewed as a setback for incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The president had previously stated he would make the announcement on a Sunday.
Endorsements and parliamentary math
President Herzog confirmed in a video message that 67 members of parliament supported Gadi Eisenkot to form the government, while 46 members recommended Benjamin Netanyahu.
Seven Knesset members abstained from recommending any candidate to form the government.
Presidential rationale for Eisenkot's selection
President Isaac Herzog concluded that Gadi Eisenkot held the best chance to form a government. This decision followed indications that Arab-led parties were willing to support his bid.
The Arab-led party Ra'am has signaled its willingness to provide support. The Joint List has offered to support the formation of a government from outside. Israel's Arab list has officially provided its backing to Gadi Eisenkot.
Coalition building challenges and outreach
Eisenkot is currently aiming to establish a wide government, though his path to power remains uncertain. As part of these efforts, he has initiated outreach to allies of Benjamin Netanyahu.
Some of Eisenkot's alliance partners have demanded that Israel be recognized as a Jewish state. They also requested that Hamas be declared a terrorist organization.
The Yisrael Beytenu party has ruled out joining any government backed by Arab-led parties. Ultra-Orthodox parties seek to retain military service exemptions, which conflicts with Eisenkot's focus on equal military and civil service obligations.
Netanyahu's response and caretaker status
He has lost the support of ultra-Orthodox factions.
They maintained that the vote was valid.
Netanyahu and his Cabinet will continue to serve in a caretaker capacity until a new coalition is formed.
Timeline and potential for new elections
If Eisenkot is unable to form a cabinet, Benjamin Netanyahu could be offered an opportunity to do so. Should both leaders fail to secure a majority, Israel could face fresh parliamentary elections in early spring.
Background on Gadi Eisenkot
Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party, is characterized as a hawkish alternative to Benjamin Netanyahu for the position of Prime Minister.
Between 2023 and 2024, he acted as a minister without portfolio in the country's unity government. Following the recent sweep by the Democrats in the United States midterm elections, Eisenkot has pledged to reset relations between Washington and Israel.
October 27 election results context
The parliamentary elections held on October 27 did not result in a clear majority for either Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling bloc or Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition alliance. Netanyahu’s coalition saw its representation in the 120-member Knesset drop from 68 to 53 seats.
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