Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot invited allies of interim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to join a national emergency government, saying Israel could not afford another election. (Foto: Instagram)
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot invited allies of interim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, Nov. 8, to join a national emergency government in Israel. Eisenkot said the country could not afford another round of elections amid growing political and security challenges.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog had tasked Eisenkot with forming the next government. The invitation to Netanyahu’s allies came after Herzog announced his choice of Eisenkot on Saturday, Nov. 7, as political parties sought to build a majority bloc in parliament.
“If Likud and Religious Zionism members truly believe this is a moment for unity, as they told the president, I can’t imagine why they would not support a government under my leadership and the principles I have presented,” Eisenkot said.
Israel held elections in late October to choose a new parliament, with results announced on Oct. 29. None of the political blocs won the 61 seats needed for a majority in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. In that situation, the president decides which candidate for prime minister gets the opportunity to form a government.
