Israel’s President Herzog picks Gadi Eisenkot to form new government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog chose Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot on Saturday to try to form a new government after a deadlocked election left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu without a clear path to power.

Presidential Designation Follows Deadlocked October Vote

Herzog informed Eisenkot of his intention to task him with forming a government on Saturday night. The formal appointment takes place on Sunday at the president’s residence in Jerusalem. Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist coalition lost its majority in the October 27 election, though it still emerged as the largest bloc in parliament with 53 seats. Eisenkot’s centrist opposition bloc secured 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset.

During consultations at the president’s residence, factions comprising 67 Knesset members recommended Eisenkot for the mandate. Netanyahu received 46 recommendations, while seven lawmakers chose not to recommend any candidate. Nineteen of those recommendations for Eisenkot came from two Arab-majority lists.

“Now is the time to form a national emergency government. I will do everything to ensure we are worthy,” Eisenkot wrote on X following the announcement.

Eisenkot Sets Strict Conditions for Coalition Partners

Eisenkot faces a complex path to power, holding up to six weeks to assemble a viable governing coalition. Herzog urged political parties to enter negotiations with an open heart to avoid triggering a fresh election. Eisenkot set four strict conditions for parties joining his government: recognizing Israel as a Jewish, democratic, liberal, and egalitarian state, committing to the values of the Declaration of Independence, enforcing universal military or national service, and recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Those conditions effectively bar Arab-majority parties from holding formal Cabinet seats. However, those parties could potentially provide an outside parliamentary safety net. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has ruled out supporting any government dependent on Arab party backing, presenting a major hurdle for Eisenkot’s coalition math.

Eisenkot Balances Military Background with Domestic Pledges

Eisenkot served as Israel’s military chief of staff from 2015 to 2019 before entering politics in 2022. During the 2006 war with Hezbollah, he formulated the “Dahiya doctrine,” which involves utilizing massive force against civilian infrastructure in militant-controlled areas. On the campaign trail, he emphasized his security background while vowing to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities through force or diplomatic arrangements.

Domestically, Eisenkot pledged to crack down on extremist West Bank settlers who attack Palestinians, characterizing those actions as Jewish terror. That stance contrasts sharply with elements of Netanyahu’s coalition that advocate for the full annexation of occupied Palestinian land.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has publicly attacked the incoming mandate, claiming without evidence that Arab parties used foreign funding to steal the October election. Street protests unfolded in Tel Aviv, where demonstrators gathered at Habima Square to criticize Shin Bet chief David Zini over an election interference probe that critics argue serves Netanyahu’s political interests.

Timeline for Government Formation

Under Israeli law, Eisenkot receives an initial 28 days to negotiate cabinet posts, budgets, and policy guidelines, with a potential 14-day extension available from the president. If those negotiations fail, the mandate to form a government passes back to Netanyahu for another four weeks.