Israeli President tasks former IDF chief Eisenkot with forming next government
Israeli President, Isaac Herzog
Abdullateef Fowewe
Israeli President, Isaac Herzog has decided to entrust Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, with the task of forming Israel’s next government following inconclusive October elections.
In statement released by the Office of the President, Herzog announced the decision after completing a round of consultations with Knesset factions.
“President of the State Isaac Herzog has decided to task the chairman of the Yashar party, Gadi Eisenkot, with the work of forming the government,” the statement said.
The president’s office noted that the decision came “at the conclusion of the round of consultations with the Knesset factions, and after he held in-depth conversations and additional clarifications with various figures in the political system in recent days.”
During those talks, Herzog met with both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Eisenkot to convey his intention.
According to the announcement, factions representing 67 Knesset members recommended Eisenkot for the mandate.
Factions totaling 46 members backed Netanyahu, while a faction with seven members declined to recommend either candidate.
Eisenkot has been invited to the President’s Residence for the formal mandate ceremony on Sunday, November 8, at 5:00 p.m.
The move marks a significant development after the October 27, 2026, general election, in which neither major bloc secured a clear parliamentary majority.
Eisenkot’s centrist Yashar party, founded by the former IDF chief of staff in 2025, emerged as a leading force in the opposition with 21 seats.
His broader alliance of opposition parties holds 48 seats, while Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc holds 53.
Arab-led parties, which won a combined 19 seats, provided key recommendations that helped Eisenkot secure the presidency.
Eisenkot has signaled he intends to build what he describes as a “national emergency government.”
He has outlined core principles for potential partners, including recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, commitment to the values of the Declaration of Independence, mandatory service for all citizens, and the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities in Gaza.
He has so far focused on assembling a coalition primarily from Jewish opposition parties while keeping the door open to others who accept those conditions.
Eisenkot now has up to 28 days, with a possible extension, to assemble a coalition of at least 61 seats.
If he succeeds, it would end Netanyahu’s tenure as prime minister.
If he fails, the mandate could pass to another candidate or trigger new elections.
