Eisenkot tasked with forming Israeli government, faces tough coalition math

· Politics · Israel

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday tasked former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, the opposition leader, with forming the next government after the Oct 27 election left neither his bloc nor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's with a clear majority. Eisenkot now has up to six weeks to negotiate with potential partners and secure a parliamentary majority. He said Netanyahu had brought Israel to a historic crisis and it was approaching a 'point of no return'. His options include relying on Arab party support for key issues, forming a coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties he has shunned, or a unity government with Netanyahu — all fraught with obstacles. Eisenkot said he seeks a 'wide' government and has reached out to Netanyahu's allies; the prime minister said a coalition with Arab parties would 'dismantle' the state.

Why it matters：Who governs Israel determines the course of the Gaza war's aftermath, relations with Washington and Arab states, and the future of Netanyahu's legal and political standing.

Key points

  • Eisenkot has up to six weeks to secure a parliamentary majority.
  • Arab-led parties endorsed Eisenkot despite his ruling out a coalition with them.
  • Netanyahu warned a coalition with Arab parties would 'dismantle' the state.

Sources (original reporting)

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