Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to form government
Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a coalition after 67 lawmakers backed him over Netanyahu, as deadlock and corruption charges cloud the talks.
- On Saturday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced he will task opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government following an inconclusive October 27 election where neither candidate secured a clear 61-seat majority.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition collapsed to 53 seats, failing to maintain the majority needed to govern, prompting President Herzog to initiate the coalition-formation process with the opposition.
- Eisenkot secured 67 recommendations from Knesset members compared to 46 for Netanyahu, though the opposition leader faces the daunting challenge of reconciling deep political divisions to build a functioning coalition.
- Under Israel's Basic Law, Eisenkot has 28 days to negotiate a coalition with a possible 14-day extension, while Netanyahu remains as caretaker prime minister until a new cabinet is sworn in.
- Eisenkot must navigate disputes over ultra-Orthodox military conscription and potential Arab-party cooperation, with failure to form a government risking new elections early next spring.
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1014 Articles
President appointed Gadi Eisenkot to compose the executive.
Responsible for forming the next Israeli government, Gadi Eizenkot could become the prime minister of Mizrahi origin. The son of Moroccan Jewish immigrants, this former chief of staff disputes in Benyamin Netanyahu a historically anchored electorate to the right.
Israel’s Herzog Taps Eisenkot to Form Government
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country's next government, giving him the first opportunity to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after elections left both political blocs short of a parliamentary majority. The decision, announced earlier than expected, puts Arab-led parties in a pivotal position as potential kingmakers in coalition negotiations, while Netanyahu seeks to prevent h…
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