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Eisenkot secured the backing of 67 lawmakers in the 120-member Knesset. The announcement is scheduled for 5 pm local time (8:30 pm IST).
Gadi Eisenkot waves Israel’s national flag upon his arrival at the election night rally after the first exit polls were announced, in Tel Aviv on early October 28, 2026, during Israel’s legislative elections. (AFP photo)
Days after the high-stakes Knesset elections, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will formally invite Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot, a rival of outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to form the next government on Sunday.
Eisenkot secured the backing of 67 lawmakers in the 120-member Knesset. The announcement is scheduled for 5 pm local time (8:30 pm IST).
Eisenkot received more recommendations than Netanyahu, whose Likud-led bloc secured the support of 46 lawmakers. Seven members of the United Torah Judaism party did not endorse either leader.
Israel Political Deadlock: Top Points As Eisenkot Receives Mandate
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving Prime Minister, has called for a national unity government after his coalition failed to retain its parliamentary majority in the October 27 elections, despite emerging as the largest bloc.
Herzog’s decision followed consultations with representatives of political parties throughout the week. The elections failed to produce a clear majority in a country facing deep political divisions following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks and the subsequent conflict in Gaza and the wider region.
Eisenkot, a former military chief, now faces the challenge of assembling a coalition. He has 28 days to complete the process, with the possibility of securing a two-week extension.
At A Glance
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will formally invite Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government.
Gadi Eisenkot secured the backing of 67 lawmakers in the 120-member Knesset.
Outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc secured the support of 46 lawmakers.
Seven members of the United Torah Judaism party did not endorse either leader during the consultations.
Eisenkot has 28 days to complete the process of assembling a coalition government with a possible two-week extension.
Although Arab parties supported his nomination, Eisenkot has ruled out forming an alliance with them. Their backing could nevertheless help him secure a parliamentary majority if they agree to support his government on crucial votes.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, has accused Arab parties of having “stolen” the election and warned against “hastily swearing in a government with terrorist supporters,” referring to Arab-led political groups.
Eisenkot has several options, including forming a minority government with outside support from Arab parties, negotiating with ultra-Orthodox groups or considering a broader unity arrangement. However, he has repeatedly ruled out joining a government led by Netanyahu.
If Eisenkot fails to form a government, another candidate could be given the opportunity. If subsequent attempts also fail, then Israel may be forced to hold fresh elections, extending a period of political uncertainty.
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Ask News18Israeli President Isaac Herzog will formally invite Yashar Party leader and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government after he secured the backing of 67 lawmakers in the 120-member Knesset.
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Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers politics and a wide range of hard news, with a keen interest in national and international d…Read More
November 08, 2026, 5:17 PM IST
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