Israeli president tasks Gadi Eisenkot with forming coalition government
President Isaac Herzog has officially tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government following a deadlocked parliamentary election.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has officially tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country's next government following a deadlocked parliamentary election.
The former military chief received the mandate after securing endorsements from 67 members of the Knesset. Neither Eisenkot's bloc nor the camp led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won an outright majority in the vote. Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a stable administration, with the possibility of a two-week extension if negotiations stall.
To secure a majority, Eisenkot must unite a deeply fragmented opposition while attempting to draw partner parties away from Netanyahu. Addressing prospective allies, Eisenkot urged political leaders to accept "unconventional political steps" to resolve the ongoing deadlock.
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, 04:00 PM UTCEisenkot begins coalition talks to form new Israeli 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