{
  "id": 18782357,
  "title": "Israel's president picks Eisenkot over Netanyahu to try to form new government",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/israels-president-picks-eisenkot-over-netanyahu-to-try-to-form-new",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T20:13:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israels-president-picks-eisenkot-over-netanyahu-try-form-new-government"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli President Isaac Herzog appointed opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to attempt forming a new government following an inconclusive election. Eisenkot, a former military chief, will have 28 days to build a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. Netanyahu's right-wing bloc secured 53 seats in the 27 October election, falling short of the 61 needed for a majority, though it remains the largest group in parliament. The opposition alliance led by Eisenkot won 48 seats, while Arab-led parties secured 19 seats. Both Arab-led parties supported Eisenkot during consultations with Herzog, giving him a potential decisive role in coalition talks. United Torah Judaism, which previously backed Netanyahu, did not recommend him this time. The Joint List stated their decision was aimed at stopping Netanyahu and his government from returning to power, seeking to widen Eisenkot's lead. While Eisenkot's bloc has not formally allied with the Arab-led parties, they have opened the door to a partnership with ultra-Orthodox parties. Netanyahu warned that a government relying on Islamists would destroy Israel from within, accusing Arab-led parties of receiving foreign funding. He has also renewed his call for a national unity government of Zionist parties.",
  "summary": "Israel's president picks Eisenkot over Netanyahu to try to form new government Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 11/07/2026 - 19:52 Former army chief, backed by both Arab-led parties, has 28 days to build a coalition as Netanyahu fights to stay in power Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, waves following national election exit polls at his party headquarters in Tel Aviv,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Israeli President Isaac Herzog appoints Gadi Eisenkot to form new government.",
    "Eisenkot's bloc has 48 seats, Arab-led parties provide 19 seats.",
    "Netanyahu's right-wing bloc secured 53 seats, falling short of majority."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 14,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "Israeli president to task Gadi Eisenkot with forming governing coalition",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/israeli-president-to-task-gadi-eisenkot-with-forming-governing",
        "published": "2026-11-07T19:28:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CityNews",
        "title": "Israel’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/israels-president-taps-opposition-candidate-eisenkot-to-form-a-18786729",
        "published": "2026-11-07T19:41:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Israel’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/israels-president-taps-opposition-candidate-eisenkot-to-form-a-18780848",
        "published": "2026-11-07T19:41:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Breaking: Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to form government",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/breaking-israeli-president-picks-gadi-eisenkot-netanyahu-rival-to",
        "published": "2026-11-07T19:41:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/israels-president-taps-opposition-candidate-eisenkot-to-form-a",
        "published": "2026-11-07T19:49:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "El Pais",
        "title": "El presidente de Israel encarga formar Gobierno al líder opositor Gadi Eisenkot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/el-presidente-de-israel-encarga-formar-gobierno-al-lider-opositor",
        "published": "2026-11-07T19:50:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Israeli president tasks Gadi Eisenkot with forming new government",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/israeli-president-tasks-gadi-eisenkot-with-forming-new-government",
        "published": "2026-11-07T19:53:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot to form government: Statement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/israeli-president-picks-gadi-eisenkot-to-form-government-statement",
        "published": "2026-11-07T19:56:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Israel’s president taps Eisenkot to form government, in setback for Netanyahu",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/israels-president-taps-eisenkot-to-form-government-in-setback-for",
        "published": "2026-11-07T20:05:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/israels-president-taps-opposition-candidate-eisenkot-to-form-a-18786196",
        "published": "2026-11-07T20:18:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Israel president taps Eisenkot to form new government",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/israel-president-taps-eisenkot-to-form-new-government",
        "published": "2026-11-07T20:30:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Yashar's Eisenkot to receive mandate to form new government, president announces",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/yashars-eisenkot-to-receive-mandate-to-form-new-government-president",
        "published": "2026-11-07T20:32:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/israels-president-taps-opposition-candidate-eisenkot-to-form-a-18784686",
        "published": "2026-11-07T20:39:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}