Gadi Eisenkot has called for a “national emergency government” after Israeli President Isaac Herzog selected him to form the next government, giving him the first opportunity to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .
Eisenkot and Netanyahu differ over government formation
“Now is the time to form a national emergency government. The statement was translated from Hebrew. Herzog’s decision followed consultations with political parties and further discussions with leaders across Israel’s political system. Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party, is seeking to bring together political groups with different positions to form a governing majority. His approach differs from Netanyahu’s, particularly over which parties should be included in the next government. Eisenkot has invited lawmakers from Netanyahu’s Likud party to join a government under his leadership. However, he wants them to distance themselves from far-right political partners and accept his conditions for joining the coalition.
The president said political factions representing 67 members of the Knesset had recommended Eisenkot for the mandate. Factions representing 46 lawmakers backed Netanyahu, while seven lawmakers did not recommend either candidate. Herzog invited Eisenkot to the President’s Residence for the formal handover of the mandate on Sunday, November 8.
In an announcement on the official account of the President of Israel, Herzog’s office said he had also held meetings with Netanyahu and Eisenkot before making his decision. I will do everything to ensure we are worthy,” Eisenkot wrote in a post on X on Saturday.
