Israeli President Tasks Gadi Eisenkot with Forming Next Government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has formally selected Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and a former Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), to form the country’s next government following the inconclusive general election held on October 27.

The announcement was made on Saturday evening after President Herzog held consultations with political party leaders and met separately with Eisenkot and outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A formal ceremony to hand over the government formation mandate is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at 5 p.m. local time at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a coalition government capable of securing the support of at least 61 members of the 120-seat Knesset. The president may grant him an additional 14 days if required.

The October 27 election failed to produce a clear parliamentary majority, leaving Israel facing a complicated political deadlock. According to the final official results, Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious alliance secured 53 seats.

Eisenkot’s opposition alliance, consisting of Jewish-led parties, won 48 seats. His Yashar party secured 21 seats, followed by Naftali Bennett’s Together with 12, The Democrats with eight and Yisrael Beytenu with seven seats.

Meanwhile, the two Arab-led political lists secured a combined 19 seats, marking a record parliamentary representation. The Joint List won 11 seats, while Ra’am secured eight.

During consultations with the president, factions representing 67 Knesset members recommended Eisenkot as the next prime minister, compared with 46 who supported Netanyahu. United Torah Judaism declined to recommend either candidate. Support from Arab political parties helped Eisenkot cross the parliamentary majority threshold in presidential recommendations, although their backing does not necessarily mean they will join his proposed coalition.

Eisenkot, 66, served as the 21st Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli military from 2015 to 2019. Born in Tiberias to Moroccan Jewish immigrant parents and raised in Eilat, he began his military career in the Golani Brigade before rising through the ranks of the Israeli armed forces.

Describing the current political situation as a national emergency, Eisenkot has pledged to form a new government as quickly as possible.

He has also laid down four conditions for political parties seeking to join a coalition under his leadership. These include recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, commitment to the principles of the country's Declaration of Independence, universal national service through military or civilian service for all citizens, and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organisation, alongside a commitment to dismantling its military and governing capabilities in Gaza.

Netanyahu will continue serving as caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed. If Eisenkot fails to secure a coalition within the allotted period, the mandate could be transferred to another candidate, potentially Netanyahu, or Israel could be forced to hold another general election.

Meanwhile, the newly elected Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on November 10. Political negotiations in the coming days are expected to focus on cabinet positions, budget allocations and major policy priorities as parties attempt to overcome the parliamentary deadlock.