President Herzog appoints former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot to build coalition government

President Isaac Herzog announced on Saturday that Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff (2015‑2019), will receive the mandate to form the next government. The formal hand‑over is scheduled for a ceremony at the president’s residence in Jerusalem on Sunday, according to the president’s office.

In the October 27 election, Eisenkot’s four‑party alliance secured 48 seats while Benjamin Netanyahu’s right‑wing and religious bloc won 53 seats, both falling short of the 61‑seat threshold required for a governing majority in the 120‑member Knesset. Arab‑led parties achieved a record 19 seats, and 67 lawmakers publicly endorsed Eisenkot’s appointment, compared with 46 backing Netanyahu.

Eisenkot has 28 days, with a possible 14‑day extension, to assemble a coalition that can command a confidence vote. He has ruled out partnering with Arab‑led parties, which would give him a 67‑seat bloc, and is reportedly seeking the support of the ultra‑Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas to reach the minimum 61 seats. If he fails, Herzog may nominate a second candidate, and a third candidate could be considered before a new election is called within 90 days.

Eisenkot’s public statements emphasize the need for a “national emergency government” and a coalition that can survive opposition from Netanyahu’s bloc. He has pledged to address extremist activity in the West Bank while maintaining his opposition to a Palestinian state and a commitment to continue military pressure on Hamas in Gaza.