In brief
President Isaac Herzog announced that Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot will attempt to form Israel’s next government, with a 28‑day deadline and a possible 14‑day extension. Eisenkot received backing from 48 opposition lawmakers and 19 Arab‑led representatives, while Netanyahu and ultra‑Orthodox parties remain uncertain. If Eisenkot fails, Herzog may delegate the task or call elections.
In Jerusalem on November 7, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that he had tasked Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government following extensive consultations with political parties.
Herzog will meet Eisenkot at the president’s residence on Sunday at 5 p.m. local time to formally hand over the mandate. Under Israeli law, Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a governing coalition and may request a 14‑day extension from the president. If he fails, Herzog can appoint another candidate or, as a last resort, dissolve parliament and call new elections.
Eisenkot’s recommendation received the endorsement of 48 lawmakers from four opposition‑bloc parties and 19 representatives of Arab‑led parties; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was recommended by 46 lawmakers. The ultra‑Orthodox United Torah Judaism party declined to endorse either candidate.
"This is the time to establish a national emergency government. I will do anything possible to prove us worthy," Eisenkot said on the social media platform X after the announcement.
Analysts note that Eisenkot faces a challenging path to a 61‑seat majority government, as divisions within the opposition over cooperation with Arab parties and disagreements with the two ultra‑Orthodox parties, which together hold 13 seats, may impede coalition building. Netanyahu has called for a national unity government and warned against relying on Arab parties, while protesters in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square seek unity through cooperation between Jewish and Arab parties.
