Herzog gives Gadi Eisenkot first chance to form Israel government

President Isaac Herzog gave opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form Israel’s next government on Nov. 8, at a ceremony in Jerusalem. The Oct. 27 election left neither Eisenkot’s bloc nor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc with a clear majority, so Eisenkot must assemble enough parliamentary support to form a government.

• Eisenkot has 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible two-week extension from Herzog.
• Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats, while United Torah Judaism and Shas together could give Eisenkot 61 seats.
• If Eisenkot fails, Netanyahu could get a chance to form a government; if he also fails, elections could follow early next spring.

The mandate gives Eisenkot an opportunity to negotiate, not the premiership itself. He said he wanted leadership people could trust, acting in the public interest and representing all parts of society. He also said parties joining his coalition should support Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, its declaration of independence, military or national service, and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization, the Associated Press reported.

The coalition routes Eisenkot faces

Al Jazeera said Arab-led parties endorsed Eisenkot for the mandate and won a record 19 seats, which would bring him to 67 if included in his bloc. But Eisenkot has ruled out forming a government with them, so their endorsement does not establish that they will take part in his coalition. Al Jazeera reported that winning over ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas would give him 61 seats; a government could also proceed with fewer if it won a parliamentary confidence vote.

The Associated Press reported that United Torah Judaism has left open the possibility of cooperating with Eisenkot. The party was part of Netanyahu’s outgoing coalition and wants to preserve military exemptions for religious students. Those exemptions have become especially contentious among the public during the past three years of war, the AP reported.

What it means

Eisenkot has 28 days to try to assemble a coalition, and Herzog may grant an additional two weeks, according to the Associated Press. Al Jazeera summarized the period as six weeks, including the possible extension. Netanyahu and his Cabinet remain in office with limited powers as a caretaker government until a coalition is formed. Newly elected Knesset members are scheduled to be sworn in Tuesday evening, Nov. 10.

Whether Eisenkot can secure enough support, and which parties might join a government, remain unresolved. If he cannot form one, Netanyahu could be given the next chance; if Netanyahu also fails, elections could follow early next spring, the Associated Press and Al Jazeera reported.