Israel’s Herzog tasks Eisenkot with forming next government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, with forming the country’s next government, his office said, passing over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Herzog informed Eisenkot of the decision on Saturday evening and will formally hand him the mandate at a ceremony on Sunday, the president’s spokesperson said.

How many lawmakers backed Gadi Eisenkot?

Sixty-seven members of the 120-seat Knesset recommended Gadi Eisenkot for the mandate during consultations Isaac Herzog held with political parties this week, including lawmakers from Arab-led parties. Forty-six backed Benjamin Netanyahu. Herzog’s decision to give Eisenkot the first chance to form a government followed an October 27 general election in which neither side secured a majority.

What happens next for Gadi Eisenkot?

Gadi Eisenkot has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to assemble a coalition holding at least 61 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, the minimum threshold for a government. In the October 27 election his four-party alliance won 48 seats, while Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc took 53. Arab-led parties representing Palestinian citizens of Israel won a record 19 seats.

Can Eisenkot reach 61 seats?

Gadi Eisenkot has ruled out forming a government with the Arab-led parties, a combination that would give him a 67-seat bloc. Winning over the two ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, would give him exactly 61 seats. He could also form a government with fewer than 61 seats if he wins a parliamentary confidence vote.

What if Eisenkot fails to form a government?

If Gadi Eisenkot cannot build a coalition within the allotted time, Isaac Herzog will nominate another candidate. If the second nominee fails, a parliamentary majority can back a third candidate, who is granted a final 14 days. If no government is formed after that, a new election must be called within 90 days, with Benjamin Netanyahu staying on as caretaker prime minister.

What did Benjamin Netanyahu and the Arab-led parties say?

Hours before the announcement, Benjamin Netanyahu said in a prerecorded video that a government formed by the opposition bloc with support from Arab-led parties would lead to Israel’s collapse. “Such a government, dependent on Islamists, will dismantle the state of Israel from within, as is happening in European countries, and far worse than that,” he said.

Ahmad Tibi, a senior member of the Joint List, a coalition of Arab-led parties that holds 11 seats, told Al Jazeera that Isaac Herzog’s decision was “expected”. Tibi said the Arab-led parties endorsed Gadi Eisenkot with a “considerable margin” and that he believes Eisenkot is heading for a minority government “with external support from the Arab parties”. He said his priority was bringing down “the government of Netanyahu, [Itamar] Ben-Gvir and [Bezalel] Smotrich”.

Ahmad Tibi also responded to Benjamin Netanyahu’s wording, saying the prime minister “described us as supporters of terrorists and terrorism”. “My response to him is this: Netanyahu is the biggest terrorist in Israel and the region, and the foremost supporter of terrorism, particularly Jewish terrorism in the West Bank and the Palestinian territories,” Tibi said.

Why did Herzog pick Eisenkot?

Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, said Isaac Herzog “took the predictable route” because Gadi Eisenkot had the highest number of recommendations. “The hard work will begin now for Eisenkot to put together a government that can pass a vote of confidence at the Knesset,” Odeh said.

Who is Gadi Eisenkot?

Gadi Eisenkot led Israel’s military from 2015 to 2019 and sat as an observer in Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet for the first eight months of the war in Gaza, which began in October 2023.

Frequently asked questions

Who has Israel’s president asked to form a government?

Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, with forming the next government, passing over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

How long does Gadi Eisenkot have to form a coalition?

Gadi Eisenkot has 28 days to build a coalition of at least 61 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, with a possible 14-day extension.

What happens if Gadi Eisenkot fails to form a government?

Isaac Herzog would nominate another candidate; if a second and then a third nominee fail, a new election must be called within 90 days, with Benjamin Netanyahu remaining caretaker prime minister.

Did Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc win a majority in the October 27 election?

No. Gadi Eisenkot’s four-party alliance won 48 seats and Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc won 53, both short of the 61 needed, while Arab-led parties won a record 19.

With reporting from Al Jazeera.

Stock image, not from the events described. Globe World — Jo%E3o%20Silas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)