Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to try to form government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has chosen opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot to attempt to form a new government following the October 27 elections. Eisenkot, a former military chief and the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was given the first opportunity to assemble a coalition after neither man secured a clear majority in the vote. According to PBS NewsHour, representatives from most of Israel's main parties recommended Eisenkot be tasked with the role following discussions with the president.

Le Monde English reports that Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, is fighting to remain in office after his religious-nationalist coalition lost its majority. In a video statement, Netanyahu called for a national unity government and warned against quickly swearing in a government with terrorist supporters, which PBS NewsHour notes was an apparent reference to Arab-led parties.

Eisenkot has indicated a willingness to partner with those parties under certain conditions, including calling Hamas a terrorist group that must be destroyed.

Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, PBS NewsHour, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Le Monde English — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.