Gadi Eisenkot has begun his attempt to form Israel’s next government after President Isaac Herzog formally handed him the mandate on Sunday, 8 November. The decision gives the former military chief the first opportunity to assemble a governing coalition following the inconclusive 27 October election. Benjamin Netanyahu remains prime minister while negotiations continue.
Why the election did not settle who governs
Netanyahu’s Likud emerged as the largest individual party with 27 seats, but his wider bloc secured only 53 of the Knesset’s 120 seats. Eisenkot’s opposition camp won 48, while Arab-led parties secured a combined 19. Neither main bloc can build a majority coalition without support beyond its existing partners.
During Herzog’s consultations, parties representing 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot, compared with 46 for Netanyahu. Those recommendations helped Eisenkot secure the mandate, but they are not commitments to join or support the government he negotiates.
The coalition obstacles
Eisenkot’s possible routes include cooperation with ultra-Orthodox parties or a minority government relying on support from outside the coalition. Both approaches face political resistance. Military-service requirements for ultra-Orthodox men and disagreements over cooperation with Arab-led parties remain major obstacles.
A minority administration is legally possible. As the Israel Democracy Institute explains, the initial confidence vote requires more votes in favour than against, rather than necessarily requiring 61 lawmakers to join the coalition. Securing that parliamentary support would still require an agreement between parties with competing demands.
Election allegations add to tensions
The negotiations follow a dispute over alleged foreign interference in the election. In reporting published on 4 November, The Jerusalem Post said Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara had rejected a request to interrogate senior Arab-party lawmakers, stating that evidence was needed to justify questioning them.
Likud criticised the decision, while Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas denied involvement in the alleged interference scheme and said his party would cooperate with lawful investigations. These remain allegations, rather than established findings of wrongdoing.
Impact: the mandate starts the process
Eisenkot initially has 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension of up to 14 days. Any proposed administration must then win the Knesset’s confidence before taking office.
The immediate test is whether the parties that backed his nomination can agree on how to govern. Until then, Netanyahu’s outgoing administration continues in office. Another election remains possible if the government-formation process ultimately fails.
Sources
- The Jerusalem Post — original election live coverage
- The Jerusalem Post — Eisenkot receives the mandate, 8 November
- The Jerusalem Post — attorney-general’s decision on questioning lawmakers
- Israeli President’s Office — mandate announcement and timetable
- Israel Democracy Institute — government-formation process explained
