Israeli President Isaac Herzog will formally give Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form the next government on Sunday at 5 pm local time (8:30 pm IST) after he received the support of 67 lawmakers, compared with 46 who supported Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc.
Israel elections: 10 points to know as Eisenkot receives mandate to form government
Eisenkot’s nomination is expected to be followed by weeks of negotiations. Eisenkot, a former military chief, has ruled out joining hands with Arab parties, whose backing could help him secure a parliamentary majority. However, Arab leaders, who oppose what they describe as the racist policies of Netanyahu and his far-right allies, still recommended Eisenkot as the first candidate to form a government. This gave him the highest number of endorsements. Such a move could lead to the removal of incumbent speaker Amir Ohana of the Likud party.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has already called for a unity government as he attempts to retain power after his coalition lost its majority in the October 27 election even though it remained the largest bloc in parliament. Neither side secured a majority in the polls held in a country sharply divided following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and three years of conflict in Gaza and other parts of the region. During consultations with party delegations, 67 lawmakers backed Eisenkot for the post of Prime Minister, giving him majority support in the 120-member Parliament. Netanyahu received 46 recommendations, while the seven-member United Torah Judaism party did not back either candidate. He has 28 days to form a government, with the option to seek an additional 14 days. Four opposition parties have also called for the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) to elect a new speaker during its first sitting on Tuesday (November 10). Earlier reporting noted: Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, is fighting to hold onto office after his religious-nationalist coalition lost its majority in an October 27 election but still emerged as the largest bloc in parliament.
After holding consultations with all political parties during the week, Herzog said Eisenkot would get the first opportunity to form a government. Ohana has said he will not allow a vote on the matter during the new Parliament’s first session, but would schedule a debate on choosing his successor within the following week if a majority of lawmakers formally requested one.
Earlier reporting noted: Also Read: Israel government formation highlights: Eisenkot in strong position to become PM as Arab parties, B’Yachad back him Earlier reporting noted: Israel president picks Netanyahu rival Gadi Eisenkot to form new government after deadlocked election Israel’s president on Saturday chose Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strongest rival, to try to form a new government, Israeli media reported, following a deadlocked election that left neither man with a clear path to power.
