Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been given the opportunity to form the new Israeli government after outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition fell short of a parliamentary majority in the October elections.
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“Now is the time to form a national emergency government. Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman, whose parties are part of Eisenkot’s bloc, has ruled out a minority government that relies on the two parties. President Isaac Herzog on Sunday tasked Eisenkot with forming the next government after he received the support of 67 lawmakers, including those from Arab parties. Eisenkot now has a deadline of six weeks — 28 days to put together a coalition to form a new government plus an extension of 14 days. The Israeli elections on October 27 threw up a hung parliament, with both coalitions led by Eisenkot and Netanyahu failing to secure a majority in Israel’s 120-member Knesset. Netanyahu’s Likud Party emerged as the largest party with 27 seats, while Eisenkot’s Yashar won 21 seats. For a government to be formed, a party or a coalition must have 61 seats in the Knesset. The October 7 attack by Hamas had hardened opinion against Arab parties. Earlier reporting noted: Gadi Eisenkot officially gets first chance to form Israel’s next government Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, on the day Herzog hands him the mandate to form a new government following the general election, at the president’s residence in Jerusalem, November 8, 2026. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun Earlier reporting noted: Israeli opposition leader and former army chief Gadi Eisenkot was on Sunday formally tasked by President Isaac Herzog with forming the country’s next government after the October 27 parliamentary elections resulted in a fractured mandate.
Eisenkot has ruled out bringing Arab parties into his government due to contrasting values.
Eisenkot said he was willing to include Netanyahu and the Religious Zionist party headed by far-right leader Bezalel Smotrich in the government, provided he remain the leader. I will do everything to ensure we are worthy,” he said on X.
Earlier reporting noted: This came a day after Herzog designated Eisenkot, the main challenger to outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , to form the next government.
