Eisenkot tipped to seek Israel government as religious party drops Netanyahu

Newswire reports that President Isaac Herzog selected opposition leader and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to try to form Israel’s next government. Herzog informed Eisenkot on Saturday, November 7, and a formal appointment ceremony was scheduled for Sunday. Daily Mirror reports that Herzog had said he would name a candidate by Sunday after lawmakers backed Eisenkot over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; Lankadeepa also reports that Herzog chose Eisenkot for the task.

Newswire reports that the selection followed political-party consultations after the October 27 general election failed to give either main political bloc a parliamentary majority. Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party, received support from lawmakers representing 67 of the 120 Knesset seats, while 46 backed Netanyahu.

Newswire reports that the numbers in the election leave Eisenkot with a difficult route to a majority: his four-party alliance holds 48 seats, compared with 53 for Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc, and 61 seats are needed for a majority. Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats and backed Eisenkot during consultations, but Newswire reports that he has ruled out forming a government with them.

Newswire reports that Eisenkot has 28 days to secure enough support, with a possible additional 14 days. Netanyahu remains prime minister until a new government is formed, according to Newswire, which also reports that his governing coalition lost its parliamentary majority in the election.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.