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Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to form government
Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a coalition after winning backing from 67 lawmakers, while Netanyahu’s bloc fell short of a majority, officials said.
On Saturday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government after the Yashar Party leader secured 67 endorsements from the 120-seat Knesset, granting him 28 days to assemble a coalition.
Following the October 27 election, which left no party with a majority, factions representing 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot for prime minister, surpassing the 46 endorsements for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a "national unity government" in a video statement and warned that coalitions relying on Arab-led parties would "dismantle the State of Israel from within."
Under Israeli law, Eisenkot has 28 days to secure a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension; failure to form a government could trigger another election within approximately 90 days.
Avigdor Lieberman signaled willingness to compromise with ultra-Orthodox parties, backing away from longstanding opposition to bridge political divisions and provide Eisenkot a viable path to a majority government.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has designated Gadi Eisenkot, the opposition leader and rival of incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to be the first…
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