Eisenkot tasked with building Israel government

President Isaac Herzog designated Gadi Eisenkot as the candidate to form Israel’s next government late Saturday night.

Herzog made the announcement following days of consultations with parties elected to the Knesset in the Oct. 27 vote. Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, is the primary rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The decision follows an election in which no single political bloc secured a majority of the 120 parliamentary seats. Netanyahu’s coalition dropped from a previous peak of 68 seats to 53. Eisenkot’s opposition bloc won 48 seats, while two Arab-led parties captured 19 seats.

Herzog stated that Eisenkot has the best chance of assembling a governing majority of at least 61 seats. This assessment relies on statements from Arab-led parties indicating they are prepared to support Eisenkot’s bid.

Eisenkot will officially receive the mandate to form a government during a ceremony on Sunday. He has 28 days to complete the process, with the possibility of a two-week extension granted by the president. If Eisenkot fails to form a government, Netanyahu will receive a chance to attempt it. If both candidates fail, Israel will return to elections in early spring.

Eisenkot faces three primary paths to a majority. He could seek a power-sharing agreement with Netanyahu, an option Netanyahu proposed on Saturday night. He could form a coalition with the support of the Arab-led parties, a move opposed by some within his own bloc. Or he could negotiate with ultra-Orthodox parties, who traditionally demand exemptions from military service.

The former army chief campaigned on the promise of mandatory military service for all citizens. He has stated that any coalition partner must support mandatory military or civil service. The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party has indicated openness to cooperation, while other religious parties seek to preserve existing exemptions.

Netanyahu has criticized the election results, claiming the vote was influenced by high turnout among Arab voters. He has not provided extensive evidence for these claims. Israel’s Shin Bet security agency has launched an investigation into potential foreign interference. The Central Elections Commission and President Herzog have affirmed that the vote was valid.

The new Knesset members will be sworn in on Tuesday evening. Until a new government is formed, Netanyahu and his cabinet will continue to serve in a caretaker capacity with limited powers.