President Isaac Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel’s next government after the former military chief secured 67 recommendations from Knesset members, compared with 46 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rte.ie reported. The decision, announced Saturday evening following consultations with all parties, will be formalized in a ceremony Sunday at the president’s residence in Jerusalem. Eisenkot now has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to assemble a coalition of at least 61 seats in the 120-member parliament after the October 27 election left neither bloc with a majority.
Alliance Wins Seats but Falls Short
Eisenkot’s Yashar-led alliance won 48 seats in the October 27 vote, while Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist bloc secured 53, leaving both short of the 61 needed to govern, The Irish Times reported. To reach a majority, Eisenkot could win over the two ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, which would give him exactly 61 seats, Al Jazeera reported. The 11 seats held by Arab-led parties that endorsed him could also provide a parliamentary safety net, though right-wing members of his own bloc oppose relying on Arab support, CNN reported.
Eisenkot Demands Terms Arab Parties Reject
The former chief of staff, who led Israel’s military from 2015 to 2019, has set four conditions for coalition partners, including recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization and commitment to universal service, effectively ruling out Arab parties from cabinet posts, CNN reported. Avigdor Liberman, leader of the Yisrael Beitenu party, has ruled out any government dependent on Arab parties, presenting Eisenkot’s central obstacle, CNN noted. The Irish Times reported that it remains unclear whether Eisenkot’s bloc would accept support from the Arab lists in forming a government. He devised the Dahiya doctrine in the 2006 war with Hizbullah, named after a damaged Beirut suburb, vowing massive force against civilian infrastructure in Hizbullah areas, The Irish Times reported.
Netanyahu Defends Self Amid Legal Pressures
Netanyahu faces corruption charges and an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over the Gaza war, charges he rejects, rte.ie reported. Though Herzog has signaled interest in exploring a national unity government, Netanyahu’s opponents have stood firm on removing him first, rte.ie reported. Herzog, from the defunct Labour Party but now non-partisan with a working relationship with Netanyahu, wants a unity government across the Jewish spectrum, rte.ie reported. Pressure could build if Netanyahu resumes war on Iran, though President Trump has not approved, rte.ie reported. If Eisenkot fails to form a government, the mandate passes to Netanyahu for four weeks, and if that fails, a new election would be called within 90 days with Netanyahu remaining as caretaker, Al Jazeera reported.
Deadlines and Arab Support Debated
How long does Eisenkot have to form a government? He has 28 days with a possible 14-day extension, giving him up to six weeks total, CNN reported. If he fails, the mandate passes to Netanyahu for another four weeks, and if that fails, a new election is called within 90 days, Al Jazeera reported.
Can Eisenkot form a government with Arab party support? The Arab-led parties hold 11 seats and endorsed Eisenkot, giving him 67 recommendations, but he has said he does not wish to form a government with them, Al Jazeera reported. They could still support a minority government from outside parliament, though Avigdor Liberman opposes any government dependent on Arab parties, CNN reported.
How many seats does each bloc hold? Eisenkot’s four-party alliance won 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Netanyahu’s bloc won 53, The Irish Times reported. Neither has the 61 needed for a majority.
The Unanswered Question of Arab Support
Whether Eisenkot can or will form a government with the backing of the 11 Arab-led seats that endorsed him remains the central unknown. Ahmad Tibi, a senior Joint List member, told Al Jazeera the decision was “expected” and gave Eisenkot a “considerable margin,” but he predicted a minority government. Right-wing segments of the opposition oppose relying on Arab votes, and Eisenkot has said he does not wish to form a government with Arab-led parties, yet Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh reported from Ramallah that the two sides share “quite compelling reasons to get rid of Netanyahu.”
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