Israeli President Herzog Tasks Eisenkot With Forming Government
President Isaac Herzog has chosen former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel's next government, bypassing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
At a glance
- President Isaac Herzog has asked Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel's next government instead of Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Eisenkot has 28 days to build a coalition of at least 61 seats in the 120-member Knesset.
- If he fails, another candidate may be nominated, or a new election could be held within 90 days.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country's next government, passing over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Herzog informed Eisenkot of the decision on Saturday evening and will formally hand him the mandate at a ceremony on Sunday.
The move follows consultations with political parties after the October 27 general election produced no outright winner. Sixty-seven lawmakers, including members of Arab-led parties, endorsed Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party. Forty-six lawmakers backed Netanyahu.
Eisenkot has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to assemble a coalition of at least 61 seats in the 120-member Knesset. In the election, his four-party alliance won 48 seats, while Netanyahu's right-wing and religious bloc won 53. Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats.
Eisenkot has ruled out governing with Arab-led parties, though their support would give him 67 seats. He could reach the 61-seat threshold by winning over the ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas. Alternatively, he could form a government with fewer than 61 seats if he wins a parliamentary confidence vote.
If Eisenkot fails, Herzog may nominate another candidate. A second failure would allow a parliament majority to back a third candidate for a final 14 days. If no government is formed, a new election would be called within 90 days, with Netanyahu remaining as caretaker prime minister.
Eisenkot led Israel's military from 2015 to 2019 and served as an observer in Netanyahu's war cabinet during the first eight months of the Gaza war, which began in October 2023.
Ahmad Tibi, a senior member of the Joint List, called Herzog's decision expected and said Arab-led parties prioritize ending Netanyahu's government. Netanyahu had previously warned that a government backed by Arab-led parties would endanger Israel.
Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh, reporting from Ramallah, said the president took the predictable route because Eisenkot had the most recommendations, and that the hard work of building a viable coalition now begins.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- Who did Israel's president choose to form the next government?
- President Isaac Herzog chose former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- How long does Eisenkot have to form a government?
- He has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to build a coalition of at least 61 seats in the Knesset.
- What happens if Eisenkot cannot form a government?
- Herzog may nominate another candidate; if that fails, a third candidate gets 14 days, and total failure could trigger a new election within 90 days.
