Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been formally tasked by President Isaac Herzog with forming a government to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. With no party securing a 61-seat majority in the 120-member Knesset, Eisenkot has up to six weeks to build a coalition. He has called for a national emergency government, urging compromise even at the cost of campaign promises.
A majority of 67 lawmakers recommended him, including support from the Arab parties Raam and the Joint List. However, forming a coalition with them faces resistance from some Jewish allies who reject reliance on Arab-backed governments. Netanyahu’s coalition won 53 seats, but he received only 46 recommendations.
The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party backed neither candidate. If Eisenkot fails, Netanyahu may get another chance; failure by both could trigger a second election. Negotiations are underway, with potential outcomes including a Jewish-Arab alliance or a minority government supported externally by Arab parties.
The Joint List has offered to support an Eisenkot-led government without joining it, though its stance on Israel’s founding ideals and Hamas remains a hurdle. The political instability reflects a deeper national division, with five elections held between 2019 and 2022.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing