Israel's President Tasks Opposition Leader Eisenkot with Forming Government

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yashar party, with forming a new government, a setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu whose Likud party won the most seats but failed to secure a parliamentary majority. Neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor Eisenkot’s secured the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset following last month’s election. Eisenkot has 28 days to build a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. He received 67 recommendations from lawmakers, while Netanyahu received 46.

The decision comes amid a complex political landscape. While Netanyahu’s Likud party won 27 seats, and Eisenkot’s Yashar party won 6, neither could command a majority. A record 19 seats were won by Arab-led parties, positioning them as potential kingmakers, though both Eisenkot and Netanyahu previously ruled out working with them. President Herzog urged factions to compromise, acknowledging that pre-election commitments may need to be reconsidered.

Netanyahu warned against a government reliant on support from Arab parties, claiming it would undermine Israel’s security. Eisenkot responded by calling Netanyahu’s statement “hysterical.” The possibility of including Arab parties in the coalition is a central obstacle, with some pressure mounting on Eisenkot to reconsider his previous stance. Should Eisenkot fail to form a government, Herzog could offer the opportunity to Netanyahu or another lawmaker. If all attempts fail, another election would be held, with Netanyahu remaining as caretaker prime minister.

Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, joined Netanyahu’s emergency war cabinet following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks but left the following year, citing a lack of progress toward ending the Gaza war and securing the release of hostages. He lost his son, Gal, a reservist killed in Gaza, as well as two nephews during the war. He founded Yashar on a platform of anti-corruption and government reform.

Where they differ

• Breitbart and the Washington Times emphasized the setback for Netanyahu, framing the decision as a significant challenge to his leadership.
• Left-leaning outlets such as NPR and BBC highlighted the record turnout among Arab voters and their potential role as kingmakers.
• Axios and Rio Times focused on the numerical breakdown of seats and the timeline for forming a government, providing a more data-driven approach.
• Right-leaning sources, like Breitbart, stressed Netanyahu’s warning against partnering with Arab parties, framing it as a matter of national security.

What is not yet known

• Whether Eisenkot will be able to overcome his previous pledge not to work with Arab parties to secure a governing coalition.
• Whether Netanyahu will attempt to form a national unity government or pursue a right-wing coalition.
• The outcome of the Shin Bet investigation into alleged foreign funding and influence operations in the election.

Background

• Isaac Herzog is the President of Israel, a largely ceremonial role with the power to nominate a member of parliament to attempt to form a government [Fact Refinery, 2026-11-04].
• The recent election resulted in a parliamentary deadlock, with neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor Gadi Eisenkot’s securing a majority of the 120-seat Knesset [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-29].
• A record 19 seats were won by Arab-led parties, potentially giving them significant influence in coalition negotiations, though both leading candidates previously expressed reluctance to work with them [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-29].
• Gadi Eisenkot served in Netanyahu’s emergency war cabinet following the October 7, 2023, attacks but resigned due to disagreements over the war in Gaza and hostage release [background knowledge].
• Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly alleged fraud and foreign interference in the election, specifically accusing Qatar and Turkey of funding efforts to increase Arab voter turnout [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-29].

Our reading

Our reading is that President Herzog’s decision to task Eisenkot with forming a government represents a significant, though not necessarily fatal, blow to Netanyahu’s political future. While Netanyahu’s party won the most seats, his inability to secure a majority has opened the door for the opposition, despite Eisenkot’s own challenges in building a coalition. The article highlights the central tension: whether Eisenkot will compromise on his previous stance regarding Arab parties, a move that would likely draw strong opposition and accusations of undermining security.

What to watch

• Whether Eisenkot secures the support of Arab parties to reach the 61-seat majority needed to form a government, with any public statements or negotiations reported by Israeli media [various Israeli news outlets].
• The outcome of the Shin Bet investigation into alleged foreign funding and influence operations, as reported by the Central Elections Committee or security officials [Shin Bet/Central Elections Committee press releases].
• The deadline for Eisenkot to form a government (28 days, with a possible 14-day extension), as announced by the President’s office [President Herzog’s official website].

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