Israel President Tasks Opposition Leader Gadi Eisenkot with Forming New Government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has formally tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government.

No party or alliance secured a majority in Israel’s October 27 election, paving the way for Eisenkot to begin efforts to form a coalition government. The former army chief has been given 28 days to complete the task.

After formally receiving the mandate at the President’s Office yesterday, Eisenkot said Israel was facing an emergency situation.

“We are in an emergency situation. The State of Israel is heading towards a point of no return. We must form a national emergency government,” he said.

Eisenkot has invited Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party, as well as the far-right party led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to join his proposed government. However, he has made it clear that he would serve as prime minister.

The alliance led by Eisenkot won 48 seats in the election. With the addition of 19 seats held by the Arab-led Ra’am party and the Joint List alliance, the potential coalition would have a total of 67 seats.

Israel’s 120-member parliament, the Knesset, requires at least 61 seats for a parliamentary majority.