Israel’s president has designated Gadi Eisenkot to attempt forming a new government after an election that produced no clear majority for either major political camp. Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party, received formal notification of the appointment and is scheduled for an official ceremony at the president’s residence in Jerusalem. The move comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist coalition lost its parliamentary majority in voting earlier this month, though it remained the largest bloc overall.
Eisenkot faces a complex political landscape as he seeks to assemble a governing coalition. His opposition bloc secured 48 of parliament’s 120 seats, while Netanyahu’s camp obtained 53 seats, leaving both sides without an outright majority. Arab-majority parties achieved unprecedented electoral gains and have indicated support for Eisenkot, positioning them as potential kingmakers in coalition negotiations. However, several members of Eisenkot’s bloc oppose cooperation with Arab-led parties, complicating his options.
The former military chief has outlined demanding conditions for Arab party participation, including recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization. Additionally, Eisenkot and his coalition partners have campaigned on ending military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox community members, an issue that presents another obstacle to coalition formation. Netanyahu has called for a national unity power-sharing arrangement with Eisenkot, though the feasibility of such an agreement remains uncertain.
Eisenkot has 28 days to secure the 61 votes required for government formation, with the possibility of a 14-day extension if negotiations stall. Should he fail to assemble a coalition, the country would face new elections. Netanyahu has challenged the election’s validity without providing substantial evidence, claiming Arab parties coordinated to manipulate results, though election authorities and security agencies have validated the vote’s legitimacy.
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