Netanyahu rival Eisenkot seeks 'wide' government but path to power uncertain

Jerusalem — Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot announced on Sunday his intention to form a broad government as swiftly as possible, although the path to power remained unclear after a deadlocked election that failed to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli President Isaac Herzog granted Eisenkot the first chance to assemble a new government following the October 27 election, which left both Eisenkot and Netanyahu falling short of the majority required for governance.

At a meeting at the president's residence on Sunday, Herzog officially assigned Eisenkot this responsibility, marking the commencement of what Eisenkot described as an "extraordinarily complex" procedure. "We are in a state of emergency, approaching a point of no return for the State of Israel," Eisenkot stated. "We must form a national emergency government.

This will necessitate creative and unconventional political measures." Eisenkot highlighted that Israeli democracy finds itself at a vulnerable juncture, facing significant challenges at a time when the nation confronts threats of attack from Iran, the necessity of advancing towards peace in Gaza, and negotiations with Lebanon.