President Isaac Herzog has formally tasked Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the centrist Yashar party, with forming Israel’s next government after consultations with the factions elected to the 26th Knesset.
Eisenkot received the mandate at a ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Sunday, following an election that produced no clear governing majority.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud remained the largest party with 27 seats, but Netanyahu’s broader bloc fell short of the 61 seats required to control the 120-member Knesset. Eisenkot’s opposition bloc won 48 seats, while Arab-led parties secured 19.
Herzog said Eisenkot had received the “clear and unequivocal support” of a majority of lawmakers during the consultations.
He urged the Yashar leader to build a stable government capable of serving Israelis across political, religious and ideological divides.
Eisenkot now has 28 days to assemble a coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension from the president. If he fails, Herzog could give Netanyahu another opportunity. A second failure could trigger another election.
In his remarks, Eisenkot described Israel as being in a “challenging and fateful state of emergency” and pledged to pursue “creative and unconventional” political arrangements.
He called for a national emergency government, citing ongoing security threats, deep political divisions and Israel’s deteriorating international position.
The coalition arithmetic is highly uncertain. Arab-led parties have indicated they could support an Eisenkot govt or refrain from voting against it, but several Jewish parties have opposed relying on Arab factions.
Eisenkot has also appealed to lawmakers from Likud and the Religious Zionism party, while setting conditions that include recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, mandatory national or military service, and a commitment to defeat Hamas.
Netanyahu, who remains prime minister in a caretaker capacity, has called for a unity government. Eisenkot has previously ruled out serving under Netanyahu, making a power-sharing deal difficult.
Ultra-Orthodox parties such as United Torah Judaism and Shas could become pivotal if they are prepared to cooperate with Eisenkot, particularly over the politically explosive issue of military-service exemptions.
The mandate represents a significant setback for Netanyahu, but not yet a transfer of power. Eisenkot must still overcome major ideological divisions within the opposition and secure enough support to survive a confidence vote in the Knesset.