Eisenkot favoured as Netanyahu ally withholds endorsement

Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the favourite to be tasked with forming an Israeli government following the October 27 election. Neither Eisenkot, a former military chief, nor Benjamin Netanyahu secured enough votes for a majority. While President Isaac Herzog will choose whom to ask to form a new government, the mandate is traditionally given to the person recommended by more parties, which would be Mr. Eisenkot according to RTE News.

Netanyahu's position weakened after the ultra-Orthodox religious party, United Torah Judaism, declined to recommend him. According to RTE News, the party has also decided not to recommend any member of the Knesset to form a government, though it did not side with Eisenkot either. Al-Monitor reports that an Arab-led party has endorsed Eisenkot, his main political rival, while RTE News notes that Eisenkot has remained unclear on whether he would accept Arab support to form a government.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch, Punch Nigeria, Al-Monitor, RTE News — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.