Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, on the day Herzog hands him the mandate to form a new government following the general election, at the president’s residence in Jerusalem, November 8, 2026. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
Israeli opposition leader and former army chief Gadi Eisenkot was on Sunday formally tasked by President Isaac Herzog with forming the country’s next government after the October 27 parliamentary elections resulted in a fractured mandate. Earlier reporting noted: Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country’s next government after the October 27 election failed to produce a clear parliamentary majority. Earlier reporting noted: 1.
Earlier reporting noted: However, forming a coalition remains a challenge, as his bloc lacks a confirmed majority and potential partners disagree over the role of Arab parties and ultra-Orthodox factions.
Speaking after formally receiving the mandate, Eisenkot laid out several “preconditions” for parties seeking to join his potential government. This came a day after Herzog designated Eisenkot, the main challenger to outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , to form the next government. With the mandate now formally in his hands, the Yashar party leader will begin complicated negotiations with potential coalition partners. He will have up to six weeks to form a government. It has given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘s main challenger the first opportunity to take power. Netanyahu, whose Likud remains the largest party, is meanwhile pushing for a national unity government. Eisenkot gets six weeks to form Israel’s next government