Netanyahu Faces Setback as Israeli President Tasks Gadi Eisenkot with Forming Government

Mangalore Today News Network

JERUSALEM, Nov 8, 2026: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suffered a major political setback after President Isaac Herzog tasked former Israel Defence Forces chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government following the October 27 election.

Eisenkot secured the backing of 67 lawmakers in the 120-member Knesset, compared to 46 supporting Netanyahu, while seven lawmakers made no recommendation. He has 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension.

Eisenkot’s Yashar party won 21 seats, while the broader opposition Change Bloc secured 48. Support from Arab-led parties, which together hold 19 seats, proved crucial in securing his nomination.

However, forming a stable government remains challenging, as some parties in his alliance are reluctant to depend on Arab lawmakers. Negotiations with ultra-Orthodox parties and efforts to build a broader unity government are among the possible options.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has not conceded and continues to advocate a national unity government while opposing any arrangement dependent on Arab-led parties.

Eisenkot, who entered politics in 2022, has ruled out joining a government led by Netanyahu and emerged as his principal challenger. If he fails to form a coalition, the mandate could be given to another candidate, potentially paving the way for fresh elections in 2027.