Eisenkot leads Netanyahu 67-46, but Herzog delays mandate decision until Sunday

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced on Sunday that he will designate a party leader to attempt to form a new government following the Oct 27 election. Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party secured the most recommendations, with 67 members backing him, while 46 supported retaining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The outcome of the consultations may not be straightforward due to mutual vetoes between various parties and within their own factions.

However, Herzog emphasized that it is his responsibility to determine who has the ability to form a government.

Eisenkot's Yashar party declared that the Israeli public has chosen change and expressed complete distrust in Netanyahu and his government, urging the immediate establishment of a national emergency government. The election saw an unprecedented presence of Arab-majority lists, which could potentially act as kingmakers if Eisenkot's opposition decides to collaborate with them.

However, right-wing Israel Beiteinu, a party within Eisenkot's coalition, has indicated it will not join a government that relies on support from Arab parties due to their reluctance to label Hamas as a terror group.

United Torah Judaism, which had previously supported Netanyahu, declined to recommend him for the premiership again, although it also did not endorse Eisenkot. The party expressed that it had decided not to recommend any Knesset member to form a government. Both United Torah Judaism and Shas, another ultra-Orthodox party, have pushed to maintain exemptions for religious students from military service, a policy Netanyahu maintains despite opposition from many Israelis who resent the exemption due to reservists serving multiple tours in ongoing conflicts.

Eisenkot, who aims to appeal to both secular Israelis from left to right, has been firm in his stance against maintaining military exemptions for ultra-Orthodox students. Observers suggest that United Torah Judaism's approach primarily seeks to punish Netanyahu and demonstrate that their votes are not guaranteed, yet they would still participate in a government if he were to form one.

The Arab parties' significant gains in the election, driven by anger over Netanyahu's hard-right policies and accusations of racism, have made them crucial partners for any opposition government.