Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country’s next government, giving him an opportunity to end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s lengthy hold on power.
Herzog announced his decision on Saturday after consultations with political parties following the October 27 general election, which left both major political blocs short of a parliamentary majority.
Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, secured endorsements from lawmakers representing 67 of the 120-seat Knesset, compared with 46 who backed Netanyahu.
He has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to assemble a coalition capable of commanding at least 61 seats in parliament.
Eisenkot’s four-party alliance won 48 seats in the election, while Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc secured 53. Arab-led parties representing Palestinian citizens of Israel won a record 19 seats.
Although Eisenkot has ruled out forming a government directly with Arab-led parties, their support could help him establish a minority administration.
He could also secure a parliamentary majority by winning over the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism.
Netanyahu had earlier warned that an opposition government backed by Arab-led parties would threaten Israel’s stability, describing such an administration as dependent on Islamists.
Eisenkot, who served as Israel’s military chief from 2015 to 2019, also sat as an observer in Netanyahu’s war cabinet during the first eight months of Israel’s war on Gaza.
If he fails to form a government within the allotted period, Herzog can nominate another candidate.
If subsequent efforts also fail, Israel will be required to hold another election within 90 days, with Netanyahu remaining caretaker prime minister.
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