Netanyahu rival given first chance at forming new government

Israel’s president has chosen Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival, as his candidate to form the next government. This decision comes after days of discussions with the newly elected parties, which occurred following Israel’s October 27 parliamentary elections. Netanyahu has lost his majority in parliament following the election, but his successor is not assured. Eisenkot will have up to six weeks to form a coalition government, while Netanyahu will attempt to prevent this from happening.

In Israel’s parliamentary system, parties form alliances to create a coalition government. A coalition needs a majority of at least 61 seats in the 120-member Knesset to form a government. Neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot secured a majority in the recent election. Netanyahu’s coalition shrank from 68 seats to just 53, while the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot won 48 seats, and Arab-led parties secured 19.

Eisenkot’s main challenge in forming a coalition is the opposition bloc’s Arab-led parties' readiness to support him. However, it remains uncertain whether Eisenkot is willing or able to bring these parties into a future coalition. Cooperation with Arab-led parties is politically difficult due to their stance on Israel's identity as a Jewish state and their rejection of settlement expansion.

Additionally, Eisenkot faces opposition within his own bloc over breaking with longstanding military exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community.