Israeli President Assigns Gadi Eisenkot to Form New Government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new governing coalition after the recent elections held on October 27. Eisenkot, a former military chief and challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is seeking to replace Israel’s longest-serving leader.

During the election, neither Eisenkot nor Netanyahu secured a clear majority. In discussions with the president, representatives from Israel’s main parties recommended Eisenkot take the lead in forming a new government.

The decision comes after Netanyahu proposed a “national unity government” in a video message. He cautioned against quickly forming a government with the support of Arab-led parties, which he and his allies view as a national security threat.

Eisenkot’s party, Yashar, responded to Netanyahu’s message with a public statement urging members of Netanyahu’s Likud party to abandon alliances with extreme elements within their religious-nationalist coalition. Eisenkot has expressed openness to collaborating with Arab-led parties, provided they recognize groups like Hamas as terrorist organizations.

The political landscape following the Israeli elections shows a fragmented environment where coalition-building is key. Eisenkot’s appointment to assemble a government represents a significant move in this ongoing political development.