Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced Saturday that he has chosen opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the country's next government, handing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chief rival the first opportunity to build a coalition following an inconclusive national election.
Herzog announced his decision on Nov. 7, but the formal presentation of the mandate is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at 5 p.m. Israeli time. Eisenkot will then have 28 days to assemble a government, with a possible 14-day extension.
The decision could mark a significant step toward ending Netanyahu’s tenure, but it would also launch a difficult round of coalition negotiations, with deep disagreements among parties seeking to replace him.
Following two days of consultations with Israel’s newly elected parliament, Herzog October 27 election, Netanyahu’s Likud emerged as the largest single party with 27 seats, while his wider political bloc won 53. The four-party alliance seeking to replace him secured just 48 seats.
The remaining endorsements for Eisenkot came from two Arab-led parties, the Joint List and Ra’am, which together hold 19 seats. Although both recommended Eisenkot to the president, their support presents a dilemma for some of his prospective coalition partners, who have ruled out depending on Arab parties to establish a government.
In a military conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jews, reversing a position that had long prevented political cooperation with religious parties.
In aNetanyahu remains caretaker prime minister as the political negotiations continue.
The prime minister has also challenged aspects of the election results amid an investigation into suspected voting irregularities. However, Israel’s Central Elections Committee said the integrity of the election had not been compromised, according to Reuters on November 5.
For Eisenkot, receiving the presidential mandate would be an important political milestone. But turning his broad parliamentary endorsement into a functioning government will require agreements among parties divided over some of Israel’s most contentious domestic issues, particularly military service and cooperation with Arab lawmakers.
Failure to bridge those divisions could leave Israel facing further political deadlock — and potentially another election.