Israeli president to task Eisenkot with forming government after split vote

On November 7, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will appoint Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a new government following the inconclusive parliamentary elections, according to Reuters. Eisenkot, a former chief of staff, has dismissed the idea of forming a coalition with Arab parties, which would provide him with a parliamentary majority.

However, leaders of those Arab parties, dissatisfied with the policies of Netanyahu and his far-right allies, have recommended Eisenkot for the position, giving him more endorsements than any other candidate. Eisenkot has been granted 28 days to assemble a government, with the possibility of a 14-day extension. He may attempt to establish a minority government with outside support from Arab parties, form a coalition with the ultra-Orthodox parties he and his allies have previously rejected, or pursue a national unity government with Netanyahu.

Analysts believe all three options are improbable. If Eisenkot fails to form a government, another candidate will be given the chance, followed by a third if necessary. The entire process of forming a government is expected to last no more than 100 days. If no candidate succeeds, new elections will be held. Netanyahu's Likud party received the most seats, securing 27 out of 120 in the Knesset, while his broader religious-nationalist coalition garnered 53 seats, falling short of the 61 needed for a majority.

Eisenkot's Yashar party finished second with 21 seats, and his four-party coalition, consisting of center-left to right-wing Jewish-led parties, secured 48 seats. Two parties representing Israel's Arab minority won an unprecedented 19 seats.