Gadi Eisenkot receives mandate to form government

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Israeli President Isaac Herzog officially tasked former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government on November 8. Neither Eisenkot's bloc nor incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's won a clear majority in the October 28 election. Eisenkot is reaching out to Netanyahu's allies and says Netanyahu's party is welcome in a government led by him. However, The Hindu reports that he has declined to join forces with Arab parties, whose support would give him a parliamentary majority. He has 28 days to form a government, potentially extended by 14 days.

Key points

• Herzog officially tasked Eisenkot with trying to form a government.74
• Neither Eisenkot's bloc nor Netanyahu's won a clear majority in the October 28 election.7
• Eisenkot is reaching out to Netanyahu's allies.2
• The Hindu reports that Eisenkot has declined cooperation with Arab parties whose support would give him a majority.9
• The initial 28-day mandate can be extended by up to 14 days.8

Why it matters

The mandate gives Eisenkot the first opportunity to assemble a government after an election left parliament deadlocked. His refusal to cooperate with Arab parties rules out a combination that The Hindu says would provide a majority.

Background

Eisenkot is a former Israeli military chief and leader of an anti-Netanyahu alliance. Netanyahu's coalition lost its majority in the election.

Claims not independently confirmed

• Netanyahu's party is welcome to join a government led by Eisenkot. (according to Gadi Eisenkot, as reported by The Hindu)

Still unclear

Which parties will join Eisenkot, and whether he can secure a parliamentary majority within the permitted period, remain unresolved.