Nahost: Netanjahu-Rivale Eisenkot in Israel mit Regierungsbildung beauftragt

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government, according to the president's office. The official assignment of the mandate is scheduled for Sunday at 17:00 local time in the presidential residence in Jerusalem. Out of the 120 designated lawmakers, 67 have expressed support for Eisenkot as the prime minister, while 46 voted for incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism faction, with seven seats, did not issue a recommendation. Eisenkot, a former general staff officer, is Netanyahu's most vocal political rival. In the October 27 parliamentary election, Netanyahu's previous coalition lost its majority. Netanyahu's camp will now have 53 seats, while Eisenkot's opposition coalition will have 48.

A majority of 61 seats is required in the Knesset for a government to take power. Support from the two Arab parties, which hold 19 seats combined, secures Eisenkot the most recommendations but does not guarantee a majority. A coalition with them is considered unlikely due to significant security policy differences. A minority government, supported externally by Arab lawmakers, is also a possibility.

Netanyahu had called on opposition parties on Saturday to form a national unity government, which would include his Likud party, the ultra-Orthodox parties, and the two right-wing parties from his previous coalition. He warned against a government reliant on the support of Arab parties. Eisenkot promptly rejected the offer, accusing Netanyahu of dividing Israeli society and repeatedly breaching agreements with political partners.

A government led by Eisenkot would only comprise parties and lawmakers who support four of his principles, including recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization and committing to dismantling its military capabilities and rule in the Gaza Strip. If Likud is interested in a unity government, it must publicly renounce its alliance with right-wing parties and publicly commit to these principles.

According to the official mandate, Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with the president having the power to extend this period by up to 14 additional days if necessary.