Israel: Ex-army chief Eisenkot tasked with forming government
What's the story
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked former army chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country's next government. The decision follows the October 27 election, which produced a hung parliament. Eisenkot's Yashar party and its allies received support from 67 lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's 120-seat parliament. He now has 28 days to form a coalition that could unseat Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister.
Coalition dynamics
Challenges ahead for Eisenkot in coalition-building
Eisenkot's backing includes the Change Bloc, Arab party Ra'am, and the Joint List.
However, forming a stable government will be challenging as some parties are wary of depending on Arab lawmakers.
The ultra-Orthodox parties could also play a crucial role in this coalition-building process.
If Eisenkot fails to form a government within the stipulated time, Netanyahu may get another chance, or Israel could head for another election by early 2027.
Political tensions
Netanyahu warns against government relying on Arab-led parties
Netanyahu has not backed down, pushing for a national unity government. He has warned against any government that relies on Arab-led parties, calling them supporters of terrorism.
Eisenkot's party has criticized Netanyahu for painting Arab lawmakers as a security threat and urged Likud members to rethink their alliance with far-right partners.
The situation is further complicated by deep divisions over the Gaza war and national security.
Political career
Who is Gadi Eisenkot?
Eisenkot entered politics in 2022 after serving as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff.
He became Netanyahu's main rival in this election, forming a coalition of center-left and right-wing parties united by opposition to Netanyahu.
If successful, Eisenkot would be Israel's first Mizrahi prime minister from the Middle East and North Africa community.