Eisenkot gets mandate to form govt in Israel

Israeli challenger Gadi Eisenkot secured the mandate to form a new government, moving closer to ending Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's prolonged tenure. President Isaac Herzog officially granted Eisenkot the mandate on Sunday, emphasizing the country's significant challenges. Eisenkot has six weeks to form a coalition holding a majority of the 120 parliamentary seats. Failure would likely see Netanyahu assume the role again, currently in a caretaker capacity.

Neither candidate achieved a clear majority in the October 27 election. However, Eisenkot's nomination gained support from a majority of parties. The centrist ex-general said he was already working to form a "national emergency government" to replace Netanyahu's hard-right coalition, which has led Israel into war and international isolation.

Eisenkot expressed confidence in his ability to steer the country back to safety. His bloc secured 48 seats, falling short of Netanyahu's 53. Eisenkot indicated openness to alliances with parties agreeing to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and labeling Hamas as a terrorist organization, likely targeting two Arab minority parties that historically shunned governance.

Netanyahu accused Eisenkot of seeking a government with terrorism supporters and offered to join him in a broader coalition. Despite Netanyahu's objections, Eisenkot called for an end to Netanyahu's six-term leadership, who failed to prevent the 2023 Hamas invasion and faces corruption charges. Despite the challenges, an Eisenkot government would likely remove Netanyahu and his religious nationalist partners from power.

Eisenkot, untested in domestic politics and international diplomacy, has vowed to reverse Israel's course, providing no specifics. He has echoed Netanyahu's stance on a Palestinian state and warnings about a nuclear-armed Iran. Forming a coalition with Arab parties that reject his conditions or ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties will be difficult for Eisenkot.

Alternatively, he could become part of a minority government with tacit support from opposition parties.