Eisenkot begins coalition talks to form new Israeli government
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has launched coalition negotiations after President Isaac Herzog officially tasked him with forming Israel's next government.
Following his official mandate from President Isaac Herzog, Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has begun negotiations to form a new coalition government. The former military chief secured 67 recommendations from lawmakers after recent elections left both major political blocs without a clear parliamentary majority.
Eisenkot faces an initial 28-day deadline to unite a deeply divided opposition and assemble a stable administration. To succeed, he must bring together disparate factions while attempting to draw allies away from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who continues efforts to retain power. Eisenkot has called on potential partner parties to accept "unconventional political steps" to resolve the ongoing deadlock. If negotiations stall, Herzog may grant an extension before turning to another candidate.
Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Cyprus Mail, France24, Tagesschau.
How outlets assessed this
- Der Spiegel Skeptical Framed Eisenkot's task as nearly impossible due to refusal among supporting parties to work together.
- FAZ Cautious Emphasized that Netanyahu still retains viable options to stay in power despite losing his parliamentary majority.
- Der Spiegel Skeptical Framed Eisenkot's task as nearly impossible due to severe friction among the factions recommending him.
- FAZ Cautious Emphasized that Benjamin Netanyahu still retains realistic political options to potentially stay in power.
- Der Spiegel Skeptical Framed Eisenkot's task as nearly impossible due to ideological incompatibilities among the recommending parties.
- FAZ Cautious Emphasized that Netanyahu retains viable political options to hold onto power despite his coalition's defeat.
Sources
- BBC News — Israel's president tasks opposition leader Eisenkot with forming government
- Tagesschau — Israel: Oppositionsführer Eisenkot soll neue Regierung bilden
- France24 — Israeli opposition leader Eisenkot begins the hard work of forging a coalition government
- Bloomberg — Eisenkot Faces Tough Test Trying to Form Israel Coalition
- Cyprus Mail — Eisenkot faces tough coalition talks as Netanyahu clings to power
Earlier coverage
- Nov 11, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCIsrael's new Knesset sworn in as Eisenkot seeks coalition
- Nov 11, 2026, 12:00 AM UTCIsrael's new Knesset sworn in as opposition moves to control parliamentary agenda
- Nov 10, 2026, 06:30 PM UTCIsraeli president tasks Gadi Eisenkot with forming coalition government
- Nov 9, 2026, 01:30 PM UTCIsraeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot tasked with forming new government
- Nov 9, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCIsraeli opposition leader Eisenkot tasked with forming new government
- Nov 9, 2026, 07:30 AM UTCGadi Eisenkot receives official mandate to form Israel's next government
- Nov 9, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCOpposition leader Gadi Eisenkot tasked with forming new Israeli government