Eisenkot Set to Secure 67 Recommendations for Government Mandate After Arab Joint List Backing

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot is poised to receive recommendations from 67 members of the Knesset, a clear parliamentary majority, after the Arab-led Joint List signaled its support for tasking him with forming the next government.

The development comes as President Isaac Herzog continues consultations with party leaders following last week’s deadlocked elections. Eisenkot’s Yashar-led opposition bloc holds 48 seats. Combined with the 19 seats of the two Arab-majority parties, the Joint List (11) and Ra’am (United Arab List, 8), this would give him the backing of 67 lawmakers in the 120-member Knesset.

Ra’am formally recommended Eisenkot earlier, lifting his confirmed tally to 56. A senior Joint List official indicated the party is leaning toward the same recommendation, pending final internal agreement among its factions. Representatives of both Arab parties met earlier to coordinate positions aimed at replacing the Netanyahu government.

Netanyahu’s right-wing and ultra-Orthodox bloc secured 53 seats but has seen its recommendation count drop after United Torah Judaism declined to endorse him, leaving him with support from around 46 lawmakers. Neither major Jewish-led camp reached the 61 seats needed for a majority on its own.

Opposition parties, including Naftali Bennett’s Together, the Democrats, and Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu, have already pledged to recommend Eisenkot. The former IDF chief of staff has described the upcoming days as critical for establishing a national emergency government and advancing parliamentary steps, including the election of a new Knesset speaker to replace Likud’s Amir Ohana.

Arab parties have stressed they are prepared to support an alternative government from outside any coalition rather than seeking ministerial posts. Joint List figures have framed their stance as an opportunity to end the current administration while advancing priorities such as addressing crime in Arab communities and related policy changes. Eisenkot has reiterated conditions for potential partners, including recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, commitment to the Declaration of Independence, mandatory national service, and treating Hamas as a terrorist organization whose military capabilities must be dismantled.

Herzog is expected to decide shortly whom to grant the first mandate. The selected candidate will have 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. The new Knesset is due to be sworn in next week regardless of the progress of coalition talks.

The outcome underscores the pivotal role of Arab parties in the current political deadlock and the complex negotiations still required to translate recommendations into a stable governing majority.