Herzog tasks Eisenkot with forming Israel’s next government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government after an election left both major blocs short of a majority. Al Jazeera and France 24 reported that Herzog selected Eisenkot on Saturday and would formally give him the mandate at a ceremony on Sunday. Eisenkot will have 28 days to build a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension.

The October 27 election produced no clear governing combination. Eisenkot’s four-party alliance won 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc secured 53. At least 61 seats are normally required to form a majority government.

Eisenkot received recommendations from lawmakers representing 67 seats, compared with 46 for Netanyahu, according to Al Jazeera. Arab-led parties, which represent Palestinian citizens of Israel, won a record 19 seats and were among those endorsing Eisenkot. Their support gives Eisenkot a potential 67-seat alignment, but it does not automatically produce a coalition.

Al Jazeera reported that Eisenkot has ruled out formally forming a government with Arab-led parties. France 24 said the opposition bloc has refused to join forces with them, despite their ability to provide a majority. The alternatives are also politically difficult.

Support from the ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas could give Eisenkot exactly 61 seats. He could instead seek external support from Arab parties for a minority government, or attempt a unity arrangement with Netanyahu. Netanyahu has warned that an opposition government relying on Arab parties would lead to the country’s collapse.

In a prerecorded speech, quoted by Al Jazeera and Channels Television, he said such an administration would dismantle Israel from within. Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List rejected the accusation and said Arab lawmakers wanted to remove Netanyahu and his far-right allies. Netanyahu has separately called for a national unity government including parties committed to protecting Israel as a Jewish state.

Eisenkot’s Yashar party answered that Likud and its allies should publicly break with extremist partners and join a government led by Eisenkot. If Eisenkot cannot secure a government, Herzog may nominate another candidate. Further failures could lead to a new election within roughly 90 days, with Netanyahu remaining caretaker prime minister.

France 24 described prolonged negotiations as likely, while noting that none of the main coalition routes appears straightforward.