Cabinet portfolio allocation poses challenge for Eisenkot after mandate to form Israeli government

President Isaac Herzog has appointed Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel's next government, bypassing his rival Benjamin Netanyahu. Herzog informed Eisenkot of his decision on Saturday evening and will officially confer the mandate upon him at a ceremony on Sunday, according to the president's spokesperson. Following the October 27 general election, Herzog engaged in consultations with various political parties to determine the individual he would appoint to form a government after neither side managed to secure a majority.

Out of the 67 lawmakers, including those belonging to Arab-led parties, Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party, received the most endorsements to form the subsequent government, while only 46 backed Netanyahu, the incumbent prime minister. Eisenkot's coalition of four parties secured 48 seats in the October election, whereas Netanyahu's right-wing and religious coalition amassed 53 seats, leaving both short of the required 61 for a parliamentary majority.

The Arab-led parties, representing Palestinian citizens of Israel, gained a record 19 seats in the election. Eisenkot has explicitly ruled out collaborating with the Arab-led parties, which would grant him a 67-seat coalition. To form a government with exactly 61 seats, he must win over the two ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas. Alternatively, Eisenkot could establish a government with fewer than 61 seats if he wins a parliamentary confidence vote.