Herzog tasks Eisenkot with forming Israeli government after election deadlock
Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot received recommendations from 67 lawmakers to lead the next government following the October 27 polls.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally tasked Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government on Sunday in Jerusalem. According to Telangana Today, the decision followed consultations where Eisenkot secured recommendations from 67 of the 120 elected members of the Knesset, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received 46.
The October 27 elections resulted in a fractured mandate with no clear majority. Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats, while the anti-Netanyahu 'Change Bloc' won 48 seats. The remaining 19 seats were won by Arab parties, including the Joint List and Ra'am.
Eisenkot, a former chief of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), now has 28 days to build a coalition and obtain parliamentary approval. He may request a 14-day extension from the President if required.
During a ceremony at the President's Residence, Herzog stated that Eisenkot had received clear support from a majority of members regarding who has the best chance of forming a government. He noted that the consultations reflected the democratic process and the various voices within Israeli politics.
Eisenkot described the current situation as a challenging state of emergency involving ongoing wars and a diplomatic crisis. He pledged to work with humility and a commitment to a democratic and secure Israel.
While the Arab parties recommended Eisenkot to oust Netanyahu, it remains unclear if his bloc will align with them. A primary sticking point is the reluctance of some parties to declare Hamas a terrorist organisation.
