Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country’s next government, giving him the first opportunity to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a closely contested general election.
No party secured an outright majority in the election, leaving the country facing a complex coalition-building process. According to the BBC, Herzog made the decision after consultations with newly elected members of the Knesset, Israel’s 120-seat parliament.
A statement from the president’s office said 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot for the mandate, compared with 46 who backed Netanyahu. Herzog based his decision on those recommendations.
A government requires the support of at least 61 members of the Knesset.
Fragmented parliament complicates coalition formation
Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc, comprising his Likud party, far-right factions and ultra-Orthodox allies, secured 53 seats.
Eisenkot’s centrist bloc, led by his Yashar party alongside three other opposition parties, won 48 seats.
Meanwhile, two Arab political alliances—the United Arab List and the Joint List—secured a combined 19 seats, giving them a potentially decisive role in determining the next government.
Under Israeli law, Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a governing coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Eisenkot called for the formation of a national emergency government, pledging to do his utmost to honour the public’s trust.
Coalition talks face significant hurdles
Despite securing the first mandate, Eisenkot faces a difficult path to a parliamentary majority. Although Arab parties hold a combined 19 seats, most Jewish political parties have previously ruled out joining a coalition with the Arab blocs.
Eisenkot must therefore consider several politically challenging options: securing support from Arab lawmakers, persuading ultra-Orthodox parties to join his coalition, or negotiating a national unity government with Netanyahu.
The outcome of the negotiations could reshape Israel’s political landscape and determine whether Netanyahu’s long-standing tenure as prime minister comes to an end.
International observers will be closely watching the coalition talks as Israel enters a potentially significant political transition.
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