Israeli opposition leader Eisenkot tasked with forming new government
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has officially assigned opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form a new government despite severe coalition challenges.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has officially assigned opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form a new government. Although former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party won the most seats in the recent election, Eisenkot secured recommendations from 67 lawmakers 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 guide the nation out of its crisis and bring it to "safe shores." Eisenkot urged rival political factions to accept "unconventional political steps" to establish a stable majority.
However, building a functional coalition remains a formidable challenge, as several recommending parties are hesitant to govern together. Meanwhile, Netanyahu continues to explore remaining avenues to retain power.
Sources: Die Presse, Tagesschau, Der Spiegel, ORF, FAZ.
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.
- Nov 9, 2026, 10:00 AM UTC
- 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, 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