Israel's president asks Eisenkot to form a government
President Isaac Herzog chose Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, after the 27 October election left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition without a majority. Eisenkot has 28 days to try, with a possible 14-day extension.
Netanyahu's wider religious-nationalist coalition won 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, short of the 61 needed for a majority. His Likud party won 27 seats and is the largest single party. Eisenkot's Yashar party won 21 seats, and his coalition of four parties won 48.
Two parties that represent Israel's Arab minority won 19 seats. The government-formation process has a deadline of about 100 days. Eisenkot is 66 and a former military chief.
Eisenkot said in a post on X at the weekend that it was time to form a national emergency government. He said he would do everything he could to be worthy of the task. Analysts said the possible paths to power for Eisenkot are unlikely to take shape.
Key facts
- Who
- Gadi Eisenkot (Former military chief and leader of the Yashar party, nominated to try to form…); Benjamin Netanyahu (Prime Minister of Israel); Isaac Herzog (President of Israel); Avigdor Lieberman (Leader of the Israel Our Home party, opposition leader)
- What
- Israel's president chose Gadi Eisenkot to try to form a government following the October 27 election, which left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition without a majority. Eisenkot has 28 days to try, with a possible 14-day extension.
- When
- 8 November 2026
- Where
- Israel
- Status
- Reported