Israel’s Knesset was sworn in on Nov. 10, with no new prime minister selected. Gadi Eisenkot was chosen to try to form the next government. (Foto: Instagram)
Israel’s Knesset was sworn in Tuesday, Nov. 10, with no new prime minister yet selected. Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israel Defense Forces general and leader of the opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu, is the leading candidate to try to form a government.
President Isaac Herzog chose Eisenkot on Sunday, Nov. 8, to attempt to form the next government. Eisenkot will need the support of at least 61 of the Knesset’s 120 members to secure a majority.
In the election, Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, while the opposition led by Eisenkot won 48. Arab parties won the remaining 19 seats, meaning Eisenkot would need support from Arab lawmakers to reach the 61-seat threshold.
Addressing parliament, Netanyahu called for a government of “national unity” and accused the Arab parties Ra’am and the Joint List of seeking Israel’s destruction. He also repeated his claim that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons that threaten Israel’s existence. Netanyahu said lawmakers should set aside other considerations in response to the threats and establish a unity government.
Eisenkot responded on social media, describing Netanyahu’s speech as hateful and divisive. He said the remarks had further convinced him that Netanyahu was unfit to remain in office, and called for urgent action to form a national emergency government. Eisenkot also said that continuing Netanyahu’s government divides Israel and puts its security at risk.
