In brief
President Isaac Herzog has officially tasked National Security Minister Yair Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government after the November parliamentary election. Eisenkot, a rival to Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly indicated willingness to pursue a minority government supported by Israeli‑Arab parties.
On Saturday, 8 November 2026, Israeli President Isaac Herzog officially tasked National Security Minister Yair Eisenkot with forming a new government following the parliamentary elections held last week.
The appointment was reported by Xinhua, which noted the decision as a routine yet significant step in Israel’s parliamentary process and underscored the president’s intent to stabilise the political scene and ensure a smooth transition of power.
Anadolu Ajansı quoted the president’s spokesperson, saying Herzog would entrust the task of assembling the next cabinet to Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party.
While the RNZ headline suggested Eisenkot is a rival to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that claim comes from a broken link and has not been corroborated by any other source.
Eisenkot has publicly indicated he is willing to begin the process with a minority government that would rely on the outside votes of Israeli‑Arab parties.
“I am open to starting with a minority coalition, taking support from parties beyond my own,” Eisenkot told reporters.
He said the president’s confidence in his ability to negotiate was crucial to the move.
Herzog’s decision marks the first official step in the transition; the next phase will involve Eisenkot formally proposing a coalition arrangement to Parliament for approval before a new Prime Minister can be sworn in.
The appointment is a routine political ritual in Israel, often the first formal option available to the president after the legislative election results are tallied.
Official statements emphasize that the process will run under parliamentary guidelines, ensuring that all parties retain a voice in the formation of the cabinet.
In the hours following the announcement, Israeli media outlets highlighted the president’s role as a neutral caretaker, tasked with balancing diverse political interests to secure a stable government.
Political analysts observe that Eisenkot’s willingness to form a minority coalition underlines the fragmented nature of Israel’s recent electoral outcome and the need for cross‑party alliances.
Continuing coverage will focus on Eisenkot’s negotiations with other parties, the potential composition of the forthcoming cabinet, and the timetable for the first parliamentary vote on his coalition proposal.
