Israel's Herzog tasks Eisenkot with forming government, passing over Netanyahu

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced on Saturday evening, November 7, that he has tasked opposition leader and former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot with trying to form Israel's next government. The formal mandate ceremony will take place at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on Sunday, November 8, at 5 p.m. Eisenkot will have 28 days to negotiate a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. (Photo: Gadi Eisenkot, file photo.)

67 recommendations to 46, but 13 seats short

The President's Office said parties representing 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot as prime minister during consultations, compared with 46 for incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu. The October 27 election produced no majority: Eisenkot's bloc holds 48 seats, Netanyahu's 53, and Arab-led parties 19. Likud is the largest single party with 27 seats, while Eisenkot's centrist Yashar party holds 21. Forming a government requires at least 61 of the Knesset's 120 seats, leaving Eisenkot 13 short.

A difficult path to a majority

Eisenkot has ruled out forming a government with the Arab-led parties, which would give him a 67-seat bloc. Media reports point to three possible arrangements: a national unity or emergency government with Netanyahu; a right-wing coalition built on defectors from the opposition; or an Eisenkot-led government relying on Arab-party support. Eisenkot called for a broad agreement, saying: "Now is the time to form a national emergency government. I will do everything to ensure we are worthy." If he fails, Herzog may task another lawmaker; if no government is formed, a new election will be called within about 90 days, with Netanyahu staying on as caretaker prime minister.

From army chief to party leader

Eisenkot served as chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces from 2015 to 2019 before entering politics, founding the centrist Yashar party on an anti-corruption and government-reform platform. The October 27 vote was Israel's first election since the events of October 7, 2023, and it cost Netanyahu's coalition its parliamentary majority. The mandate gives Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a government; it does not mean a coalition has been formed or that he has become prime minister. The 28-day period runs from Sunday's ceremony, expiring on December 6, with any extension running to December 20.

(Sources: Associated Press; The Media Line; Al Jazeera; AAP; BBC, November 7, 2026.)