Former Army Chief Gets First Shot at Forming Israeli Government
President Isaac Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with building a coalition after Sunday's election left no clear winner.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally appointed former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government on Sunday evening in Jerusalem. The assignment marks the start of a complex negotiation process aimed at ending the political stalemate following the October 27 election. Neither Eisenkot's bloc nor that of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured a majority in the Knesset.
Herzog stated that a majority of Knesset members supported giving Eisenkot the task. He expressed hope that the new administration would bring unity and healing to a nation still recovering from the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent wars. Eisenkot pledged to provide leadership that serves the public interest and represents all segments of society.
"An absolute majority of Knesset members representing the Israeli public support change," Eisenkot said. "I intend to navigate the situation with patience, humility, composure and a deep commitment to a Jewish, equal, liberal, and secure Israel."
Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a possible two-week extension. If he fails, Netanyahu will receive a turn. If Netanyahu also fails, new elections are scheduled for early next spring. Netanyahu and his cabinet will remain in a caretaker role with limited powers until a government is formed. New Knesset members will be sworn in on Tuesday evening.
The path to a majority involves difficult choices regarding Arab-led parties. The Ra'am party has pledged support, but it lacks enough seats to provide a majority on its own. The Joint List has offered to support Eisenkot from outside the coalition, a move that breaks with decades of precedent. This arrangement creates tension because some of Eisenkot's conservative partners, such as Yisrael Beytenu, have stated they will not join a coalition that includes Arab-led parties.
Eisenkot has set four conditions for coalition partners. They must recognize Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, accept its declaration of independence, support military or civil service for all citizens, and declare Hamas a terrorist group. It remains unclear if Arab parties will accept these terms. Netanyahu has criticized potential alliances with Arab parties, calling them a betrayal, while his claims that the election was stolen remain unsubstantiated. The Shin Bet security agency is investigating possible foreign interference, but the Central Elections Committee has validated the results.
Another route for Eisenkot involves an agreement with ultra-Orthodox parties. These groups demand to preserve military draft exemptions, a policy Eisenkot and his partners campaigned to end. The ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism has signaled it may cooperate. Eisenkot has vowed to move quickly, though each option requires compromise.
