Israeli President Formally Tasks Gadi Eisenkot with Forming Government After Securing Support of 67 Lawmakers

Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, head of the centrist Yashar party, with forming the country's next government on November 8.

The decision followed October's parliamentary elections, in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition lost its majority in the Knesset.

Eisenkot received recommendations from 67 members of the 120-seat parliament, compared with 46 lawmakers who backed Netanyahu. At the mandate ceremony, Herzog called for political unity and the establishment of a stable government capable of lasting.

Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said Israel was facing a critical period. He argued that the objectives of the country's conflicts on multiple fronts remained unfulfilled, its international relations were in a severe crisis and its democracy faced some of its most serious challenges.

He warned that continuing along the current political path could bring Israel to a point of no return. Nevertheless, Eisenkot expressed confidence that he could establish a government supported by a substantial parliamentary majority. He said he was willing to include Netanyahu's Likud party and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party in a coalition, provided they agreed to support a government under his leadership and the principles he had outlined.

Eisenkot also pledged to serve as prime minister for all Israeli citizens, regardless of whether they had voted for him. Under Israeli law, he has 28 days to form a government, with the possibility of requesting a 14-day extension.

However, Eisenkot's four-party alliance holds only 48 seats in the Knesset. To establish a government, he will need support from Arab lawmakers or other parliamentary parties.

Netanyahu previously called for a national unity government. He will remain caretaker prime minister until a new cabinet is sworn in.

If Eisenkot fails to form a coalition within the allotted period, the president may assign the mandate to another candidate. Alternatively, at least 61 Knesset members may ask the president to entrust the task to a candidate of their choice.

If all attempts fail, parliament will be dissolved and new elections will be held.

As reported by SSTV+, Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally handed Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form a new government on November 8. The Yashar party leader received recommendations from 67 Knesset members and has 28 days to assemble a governing coalition.