Netanyahu warns against Arab-backed coalition as Eisenkot gains mandate

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has chosen opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to try to form the next government, passing over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after neither side won a parliamentary majority in the October 27 election. Al Jazeera and France 24 reported that Herzog is due to formally hand Eisenkot the mandate at a ceremony on Sunday. Eisenkot will have 28 days to assemble a government, with a possible 14-day extension, and must normally secure the support of at least 61 members of the 120-seat Knesset.

Eisenkot’s candidacy was endorsed by lawmakers representing 67 seats, compared with 46 for Netanyahu’s bloc, according to Channels Television and Al Jazeera. But the numbers conceal a difficult coalition-building process. Eisenkot’s four-party alliance won 48 seats, while Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc won 53.

Arab-led parties hold a record 19 seats, making them central to the post-election arithmetic. However, Eisenkot has said he does not want to form a government with them. France 24 reported that his anti-Netanyahu bloc has refused to join forces with Arab parties, even though their support could provide a parliamentary majority.

Another possible route would involve the ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas. Al Jazeera reported that their support could give Eisenkot exactly 61 seats. A further option is a minority government relying on Arab parties to support it from outside, rather than joining the coalition.

Netanyahu attacked that possibility in a prerecorded speech carried by Channels Television and Al Jazeera. He said a government dependent on Islamist parties would dismantle Israel from within. His remarks were criticised by Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List, who said Netanyahu had portrayed Arab politicians as supporters of terrorism.

Netanyahu has also called for a national unity government involving what he described as national and Zionist parties. Eisenkot’s Yashar party responded by inviting Likud and its allies to abandon their alliance with far-right partners and join a unity government led by Eisenkot. France 24 said all three main pathways—a minority administration with Arab support, an alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties or a unity government with Netanyahu—face substantial obstacles.

If Eisenkot fails, another nominee may be given an opportunity; if the process ultimately fails, a new election would be held and Netanyahu would remain caretaker prime minister.