Israel's president picks Gadi Eisenkot over Netanyahu to form the next government

President Isaac Herzog said Saturday he will task Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief who leads the Yashar party, with forming Israel's next government after the October 27 election left no side with a majority. In consultations, 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot and 46 recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The mandate is to be handed over Sunday; Eisenkot gets 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to build a coalition of at least 61 of the Knesset's 120 seats.

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Why it matters

The mandate gives Gadi Eisenkot, rather than Benjamin Netanyahu, the first formal chance to build a coalition after the October 27 election, in which neither side won a majority. If he cannot form a government in time, the president can extend the deadline by up to 14 days.

What to watch

Herzog is to hand Eisenkot the mandate on Sunday, November 8; Eisenkot then has 28 days, extendable by up to 14, to form a government.

How each side sees it

Eisenkot saysIt is time for a national emergency government. He has ruled out a government with Arab-led parties, and his Yashar party says Likud could join a coalition 'without extremists.'

Netanyahu saysIn a video he said a government 'dependent on Islamists' would dismantle Israel from within, and he has called for a national unity government. Likud is preparing an appeal of the election results.

Sources

Checked against 2 established news sources:

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Published Saturday, November 7, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.