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Israeli President Isaac Herzog has officially tasked former military chief and prominent opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government
Under Israeli law, Eisenkot now has 28 days to negotiate with potential coalition partners to assemble a stable parliamentary majority of at least 61 seats. File pic/Reuters
In a decisive political shift, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has officially tasked former military chief and prominent opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot with forming the nation’s next government. The decision follows weeks of coalition deadlock following the recent elections, passing over long-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he failed to secure a workable majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
By handing the mandate to Eisenkot, a former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff who broke away to lead a centrist-nationalist coalition, the presidency has signalled a willingness to move past years of political instability and deep institutional polarisation.
From Military Command to Political Pivot
Eisenkot’s rise to the centre of Israeli politics marks a sharp departure from traditional party lines. A respected general who oversaw major defence operations, Eisenkot entered mainstream politics emphasising national unity, judicial stability, and security reform.
His coalition platform successfully rallied moderate conservative voters, secular centrists, and key regional leaders dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s governing coalition. Under Israeli law, Eisenkot now has 28 days to negotiate with potential coalition partners to assemble a stable parliamentary majority of at least 61 seats.
Severe Coalition Hurdles and Political Wrangling
Despite receiving the presidential mandate, Eisenkot faces a complex array of political obstacles. Negotiating a coalition agreement will require balancing the demands of secular centrist parties alongside right-wing nationalist factions that previously aligned with the opposition.
At A Glance
Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming the nation’s next government.
Benjamin Netanyahu failed to secure a workable majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
Eisenkot has 28 days to negotiate with potential coalition partners to assemble a parliamentary majority of at least 61 seats.
Central to the upcoming talks will be consensus on economic recovery, military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox communities, and the nation’s ongoing regional security policy. Party insiders indicate that preliminary discussions are already underway to secure support from key swing factions before formal negotiations begin.
End of an Era for Netanyahu?
The presidential directive deals a significant blow to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, whose legal challenges and polarising governance style have increasingly fractured the country’s political landscape. Netanyahu’s party issued a sharp reaction, warning that a government led by his rivals would prove unstable and short-lived.
As the 28-day countdown begins, the political manoeuvring in Jerusalem will determine whether Eisenkot can successfully forge a stable governing consensus or if the country faces the prospect of yet another snap election.
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Ask News18Israeli President Isaac Herzog officially tasked former military chief and opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot with forming the nation’s next government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to secure a workable majority in the Knesset.
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Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More
November 08, 2026, 04:53 IST
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