Israeli President Isaac Herzog chose opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to receive the first opportunity to build a governing coalition. The decision follows consultations after an election in which neither major bloc won a majority. Eisenkot received 67 parliamentary recommendations against Benjamin Netanyahu’s 46. His selection opens coalition negotiations among parties divided over cooperation with Arab-led alliances and ultra-Orthodox groups.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog announced on 7 November that opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot would receive the first opportunity to form a coalition government. He informed both Eisenkot and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his decision. Formal presentation of the mandate was scheduled for 8 November, following the president’s consultations with the parties elected to parliament.[1], [2]
During the consultations, Eisenkot received recommendations from 67 lawmakers, compared with 46 for Netanyahu. The 120-seat Knesset, Israel’s parliament, is split between Netanyahu’s bloc with 53 seats, Eisenkot’s centrist Yashar party and its Jewish opposition partners with 48, and two Arab-led alliances holding 19. Neither main bloc won a majority on its own, and recommendations for a candidate did not constitute a governing agreement.[1]
Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a government, with a possible 14-day extension. Before the election, all but one of the Jewish parties had ruled out governing with Arab parties. An agreement with ultra-Orthodox parties is another option, alongside a unity administration. Israel has repeatedly needed coalition bargains: Netanyahu and Benny Gantz agreed a rotating premiership in 2020 after three inconclusive elections.[1]
