Herzog Tasks Eisenkot With Forming Israel's Next Government
The former army chief has 28 days to build a coalition in a fractured Knesset, with a possible two-week extension if necessary.
By Rebecca Svoboda ·
Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally assigned opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the task of assembling the country's next government on Sunday evening. Eisenkot, the former head of the Israeli army, now holds the first opportunity to secure a parliamentary majority and potentially displace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The new leadership team will inherit a nation still managing active conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon alongside an ongoing confrontation with Iran.
The path to this decision began with the elections held on October 27. Those votes left the Knesset deeply divided, granting neither Eisenkot’s bloc nor Netanyahu’s camp a clear majority. Following a period of consultation, Herzog determined that a majority of members of parliament supported giving Eisenkot the mandate. This outcome follows a complex political period marked by the attacks of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent wars that spread across multiple fronts.
Herzog held the formal ceremony at the presidential residence in Jerusalem. He expressed hope that the new administration would bring unity and healing to the country. "I hope with all my heart that whatever government is formed will lead to unity, connection and healing among all segments of our people," Herzog said. Eisenkot accepted the role with a promise to provide trustworthy leadership that serves the public interest and represents all parts of society.
Eisenkot faces immediate structural hurdles in building his cabinet. He has 28 days to complete the process, with the option for a two-week extension. If he fails to form a government, Netanyahu will receive a similar window to assemble a coalition. Should both leaders fail, Israel will return to the polls early next spring. The new members of the Knesset are scheduled to be sworn in on Tuesday evening, while Netanyahu and his cabinet remain in office in a caretaker capacity with limited powers.
The most contentious aspect of the negotiations involves the role of Arab-led parties. The Joint List has offered to support Eisenkot from outside the coalition, a move that breaks with decades of precedent. This arrangement is difficult for both sides, as the Joint List would back a government that may not end the wars, while Eisenkot’s allies would partner with parties that reject Israel's identity as a Jewish state. Eisenkot has set four conditions for potential partners, including recognizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and declaring Hamas a terrorist group.
Another challenging option for Eisenkot is an agreement with ultra-Orthodox parties. These groups demand military exemptions for their community, a policy that Eisenkot and his conservative partners have sought to end during the campaign. The United Torah Judaism party has indicated it may cooperate with Eisenkot. Meanwhile, the Shin Bet security agency is investigating possible foreign interference in the vote, though the Central Elections Committee and Herzog have declared the results valid.
Netanyahu has continued to challenge the outcome, claiming the election was stolen by Arab parties. He has warned that any alliance with these groups would be an act of betrayal. Eisenkot’s partners in the Yisrael Beytenu party have already stated they will not join a coalition with Arab-led parties. These internal divisions and external conflicts define the immediate work ahead for the incoming team.
