Gadi Eisenkot receives official mandate to form Israel's next government
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has officially tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government following parliamentary consultations.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has officially tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government following parliamentary consultations. Although former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party secured the most seats in the recent election, Eisenkot received 67 recommendations after Netanyahu's right-wing coalition lost its majority in late October.
Accepting the mandate, the former military chief and head of the centrist Yashar party pledged to lead Israel out of its crisis and bring the country back to "safe shores." Eisenkot urged rival political factions to accept "unconventional political steps" to establish a working majority.
However, building a ruling coalition remains challenging, as several supporting parties are reluctant to work together. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is exploring remaining options to stay in power.
Sources: Die Presse, Tagesschau, Der Spiegel, ORF, FAZ.
How outlets assessed this
- Nov 9, 2026, 07:30 AM UTC
- 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
- ORF — Israel: Eisenkot offiziell mit Regierungsbildung beauftragt
- Der Spiegel — Israel: Gadi Eisenkot erhält Auftrag zur Regierungsbildung – eine fast unlösbare Aufgabe
- Tagesschau — Israel: Oppositionsführer Eisenkot soll neue Regierung bilden
- Die Presse — Machtwechsel in Israel? Netanyahus Rivale Eisenkot soll Regierung bilden
- FAZ — Israel: Netanjahu testet seine Optionen, um doch noch an der Macht zu bleiben
Earlier coverage
- 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, 05:30 AM UTCOpposition leader Gadi Eisenkot tasked with forming new Israeli government