Israeli President Isaac Herzog has formally selected former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to attempt to form the country’s next government, bypassing incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision, announced Saturday evening and to be formalized at a ceremony on Sunday, marks a pivotal moment in Israel’s ongoing political deadlock.
Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, now has 28 days to assemble a coalition that commands a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, with the option of a 14-day extension if needed, according to statements from the president’s office and multiple news agencies. His opposition bloc currently controls 48 seats, well short of the 61 needed for a governing majority, making coalition talks both urgent and complex.
The move follows an inconclusive election in which no party or bloc secured a clear path to government. Eisenkot’s Yashar party won 21 seats, emerging as the main challenger to Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud. Both Arab-majority lists in the Knesset have publicly recommended Eisenkot for the premiership, while Netanyahu has ruled out working with Arab parties, further complicating his own prospects should Eisenkot fail.
Coalition negotiations are expected to be fraught, as Eisenkot must navigate alliances with a diverse array of parties, including Arab and ultra-Orthodox factions, to reach the necessary majority. According to Deutsche Welle, both Arab-majority lists have already endorsed Eisenkot, but their support alone is not enough to guarantee a stable government.
If Eisenkot cannot assemble a coalition within the allotted time, President Herzog is expected to offer the mandate to another candidate, most likely Netanyahu. Should all efforts fail, Israel may face yet another round of elections, extending a period of political uncertainty that has gripped the country for months.
Eisenkot, who led Israel’s military from 2015 to 2019, also served as an observer in Netanyahu’s war cabinet during the first eight months of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. His military background and recent political ascent have positioned him as a central figure in efforts to move Israel beyond years of divisive leadership under Netanyahu.
Netanyahu, for his part, has launched sharp attacks on the prospect of a government supported by Arab-led parties. In a pre-recorded speech on Saturday, he warned that such a coalition would “destroy Israel from within,” and accused Arab parties of receiving foreign funding. These comments reflect the deep divisions within Israeli politics and the high stakes of the current coalition-building process.
Arab voter turnout reached record levels in the latest election, with the Joint List and other Arab-led factions playing an increasingly influential role in coalition arithmetic. Some Arab party leaders have urged Eisenkot to consider forming a minority government with their support, though such a move would be unprecedented and politically sensitive.
Why it matters
The president’s decision to give Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a government signals a potential shift away from Netanyahu’s years-long dominance of Israeli politics. Eisenkot’s mandate reflects both the strength of his opposition bloc and the willingness of Arab-majority parties to participate more directly in government formation, as reported by Middle East Eye and Deutsche Welle.
This development could reshape the landscape of Israeli coalition politics, where Arab parties have historically been excluded from governing alliances. Eisenkot’s need to negotiate with both Arab and ultra-Orthodox parties highlights the evolving dynamics of the Knesset and the growing influence of minority groups, as noted by multiple sources.
The outcome of Eisenkot’s coalition talks will have far-reaching consequences for Israel’s domestic stability and its approach to ongoing conflicts, including the war in Gaza. As the country faces the prospect of either a new government or another election cycle, the next few weeks will determine whether Israel can break its cycle of political stalemate or remain mired in uncertainty.
The image accompanying this article is an AI-generated illustrative depiction inspired by the actual scene of the event.
