Eisenkot Chosen Over Netanyahu to Form Next Israeli Government
Israel President Isaac Herzog tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with building the country's next governing coalition over incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The selection follows cross-party consultations after the October 27 general election left both main political camps without a parliamentary majority in the 120-seat Knesset. During consultations with the president, 67 lawmakers endorsed Gadi Eisenkot to receive the mandate, while 46 backed Benjamin Netanyahu. The 66-year-old former military chief of staff who leads the Yashar party will receive the mandate at an official ceremony on Sunday at the president's residence in Jerusalem. Eisenkot reacted on social media platform X, writing, "Now is the time to form a national emergency government," and pledging, "I will do everything to ensure we are worthy."
Parliamentary Deadlock and Coalition Math
Under Israeli law, Gadi Eisenkot will have 28 days to build a coalition of at least 61 members, with a possible 14-day extension granted by the presidency. In the parliamentary election, Gadi Eisenkot's four-party opposition bloc secured 48 seats, while Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing and religious alliance won 53 seats. Arab-led parties representing Palestinian citizens of Israel won an unprecedented 19 seats, including 11 seats held by the Joint List alliance. Ahmad Tibi, a senior lawmaker from the Joint List, said Arab-led factions recommended Gadi Eisenkot to displace the governing coalition of Benjamin Netanyahu, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Although Arab-led parties backed Gadi Eisenkot to give him a recommendation advantage, Gadi Eisenkot has previously ruled out forming a governing coalition directly with them. Certified election results established voter turnout at 78.0% across 5,717,397 ballots cast, representing Israel's highest national turnout rate since 1999, according to Israel Policy Forum. Joint List leaders indicated they would condition outside parliamentary support for an Eisenkot-led minority government on policy concessions addressing crime in Arab communities and the Palestinian file, according to J Street.
Constitutional Timelines and Re-Election Provisions
Should Gadi Eisenkot fail to assemble a 61-seat majority within his 28-day window and any 14-day extension, Isaac Herzog will nominate a second candidate. If a second nominee also fails, a majority of Knesset lawmakers can nominate a third candidate who receives a final 14 days to assemble a government. If no administration passes a parliamentary vote of confidence, a new election will be held within 90 days with Benjamin Netanyahu remaining caretaker prime minister. Political observers note that between 2019 and 2022, Israel held five separate elections amid repeated legislative deadlocks when competing factions could not agree on a government. Al Jazeera correspondent Nour Odeh, reporting from Ramallah in the West Bank, noted that Isaac Herzog selected Gadi Eisenkot because he had the highest number of recommendations.
Political Opposition and Alternative Paths to Power
Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the prospective coalition, arguing in a recorded address that a government backed by Arab-led parties would destabilize the state. Ahmad Tibi rejected the remarks, accusing Benjamin Netanyahu of inciting political hostility while defending the decision of Arab-led factions to support an alternative administration. To reach a governing majority without Arab-led factions, Gadi Eisenkot could seek to win over ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism to reach exactly 61 seats. Gadi Eisenkot led Israel's armed forces from 2015 to 2019 and previously served as an observer in the war cabinet formed following October 2023. The mandate hands Gadi Eisenkot the opportunity to end Benjamin Netanyahu's long tenure as prime minister if he can navigate deep ideological divisions among incoming lawmakers. United Torah Judaism refrained from endorsing any prime ministerial candidate during consultations, while Shas leader Aryeh Deri ruled out joining an opposition bloc government without Likud, according to Manara Magazine. Ultra-Orthodox representation includes seven seats for United Torah Judaism and six seats for Shas, according to Steptoe.