On November 8, Israeli President Isaac Herzog gave opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form a government after more lawmakers recommended him than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Eisenkot, a former chief of Israel’s military and leader of the centrist Yashar party, received the task at a ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. Before making the decision, Herzog consulted lawmakers, and representatives of 67 seats backed Eisenkot, compared with 46 who recommended Netanyahu. Representatives of the remaining seven seats made no recommendation.
The October 27 election did not produce a clear path to a parliamentary majority, making coalition talks difficult. Eisenkot has 28 days to put together a government. Herzog may extend that period by up to 14 days.
Eisenkot has called for a national emergency government. He urged members of Netanyahu’s Likud party and the Religious Zionist Party to consider joining. He said forming a coalition will require compromise.
The appointment is a setback for Netanyahu. It does not by itself remove Netanyahu from office. It also does not guarantee Eisenkot can get the support needed to govern.
Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister while negotiations continue.