Following extensive consultations with party representatives, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog stated on Thursday that he would designate a candidate to lead government formation efforts by Sunday. The decision came after lawmakers indicated their preferences during the presidential consultation period.A majority of 67 lawmakers endorsed opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot, a retired military officer, compared to 46 who backed Netanyahu. Eisenkot’s coalition of four parties spanning the political center-right secured 48 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, while Netanyahu’s Likud party won 27 seats with his broader coalition obtaining 53 seats total. The outcome followed October 27 elections that produced no clear majority for either potential government formation leader.
In his remarks, Herzog acknowledged that while the consultations appeared to show a preference, significant complications existed within and between the parliamentary blocs that complicated the formation calculus. He indicated he would conduct additional personal discussions with party leadership over the Israeli weekend before making his Sunday selection.
Eisenkot’s group received backing from parties representing Israel’s Palestinian minority, which won 19 seats—an unprecedented number. Both Eisenkot and Netanyahu have stated they will not include Arab-led parties in their governments, though those parties recommended Eisenkot. Separately, the United Torah Judaism party, historically aligned with Netanyahu, declined to endorse any candidate, reportedly over disagreement regarding military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.
Once appointed by Herzog, the selected candidate will have 28 days, extendable by 14 days, to negotiate and form a functional governing coalition. Netanyahu will continue as caretaker prime minister during this period. Meanwhile, Netanyahu contested the election results, citing alleged vote tampering investigations, accusations that Israel’s Central Election Committee rejected on Wednesday.
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