Eisenkot to Form New Israeli Government as Netanyahu Faces Setback

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, took center stage last month in Tel Aviv, displaying an Israeli flag after early exit poll results emerged from Israel’s general election. This significant moment marked a challenge for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite his party’s success in winning the most seats, Netanyahu did not secure a majority in parliament.

In last month’s election, Netanyahu’s Likud party captured 27 seats, surpassing Eisenkot’s Yashar party by six. However, neither party gained enough support to control a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. As a result, President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming the next government. Herzog is set to officially grant Eisenkot the mandate at 5 p.m. local time on Sunday.

Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, held the role from 2015 to 2019. He also served in Netanyahu’s emergency war cabinet after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assaults on Israel. However, he resigned the following year, criticizing Netanyahu for not advancing in resolving the Gaza conflict and failing to secure hostages’ release.

The war had a profound personal impact on Eisenkot. His son Gal, a reservist, was killed in Gaza, along with two nephews during the conflict. Leading the centrist Yashar party, Eisenkot has a platform focused on anti-corruption and governmental reform. Now he has 28 days to form a coalition government, with a potential 14-day extension, totaling up to six weeks to negotiate and gather support for a majority of 61 seats.

If Eisenkot does not succeed, President Herzog may offer the chance to another lawmaker. Should these attempts also be unsuccessful, the country risks facing another election. Meanwhile, Netanyahu would continue as the caretaker prime minister.