Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced Saturday that he would task Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yashar party, with forming a new government, in a major setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Why it’s important: Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a new government. It’s Netanyahu’s closest loss to power since 2021, but deep divisions could still prevent him from forming a government.
Driving the news: Netanyahu’s Likud party won the largest number of seats in the October 27 election, but his coalition lost its majority, winning just 53 of the 120 seats in Parliament.
- Eisenkot’s bloc won 48 seats, but the two Arab parties, which won 19 seats, supported his attempt to form a government.
- In consultations held earlier this week, 67 Knesset members recommended Eisenkot to form the new government, while only 46 recommended Netanyahu.
- United Torah Judaism, Netanyahu’s ultra-Orthodox ally, has refused to support him and indicated it could join a coalition led by Eisenkot.
The other side: On Saturday, Netanyahu called for the formation of a unity government led by him.
- Netanyahu attacked Arab parties and falsely claimed they wanted to destroy Israel. He proposed that Eisenkot and other Jewish opposition parties join his far-right bloc.
- Eisenkot rejected Netanyahu’s call, calling it political manipulation.
What to watch: Eisenkot said he intended to form an “emergency national government” built around the 48 members of his bloc.
- But he would need the support of lawmakers outside his bloc to win a vote of confidence in Parliament.
- Eisenkot will have to choose whether he wants that support to come from ultra-Orthodox parties or Arab parties, but either path risks alienating members of his bloc.
- Both options could also force Eisenkot and his allies to break their election promises.
This is breaking news. Check back for updates
Gn headline
