Israeli President Isaac Herzog selected Gadi Eisenkot to try to form the country’s next government after an election left no bloc with a majority in the Knesset. (Foto: Instagram)
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has chosen Gadi Eisenkot, Benjamin Netanyahu’s main election rival, to try to form the country’s next government. The decision came as political parties worked to assemble a majority in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. The president’s office said the formal announcement was expected Sunday morning, Nov. 8, local time.
Israel held parliamentary elections in late October, with results released Oct. 29. No political bloc won the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, leaving Herzog to decide which candidate for prime minister would get the opportunity to form a government. After talks with Netanyahu and Eisenkot, Herzog selected Eisenkot, who he apparently judged to have the stronger chance of securing sufficient support. The president is not required to choose the candidate whose bloc won the most seats.
Israelis do not directly elect the head of government. Voters cast ballots for party lists, and the leader who can gather enough parliamentary backing to build a coalition becomes prime minister. Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, while the main opposition group led by Eisenkot secured 48. Parties representing Israel’s Arab minority won the remaining 19 seats, increasing their presence in the legislature compared with the 2022 election.
In recent days, leading Arab-Israeli parties endorsed Eisenkot. With that support included, his opposition bloc said it had backing from 67 lawmakers. Following the formal announcement, the bloc will have 28 days to form a government. Under Israeli law, Herzog may grant an extension of up to 14 additional days if needed.
