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Israel’s president picks Netanyahu rival Gadi Eisenkot to form government
The Independent • • world
Key Points:
- Israel's President Isaac Herzog has tasked Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief and Prime Minister Netanyahu's main rival, with forming a new government after a deadlocked election left no clear winner.
- Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition lost its majority in the October 27 election but remains the largest bloc, while Eisenkot's Yashar party is the second largest, backed by Arab parties despite his refusal to ally with them.
- Eisenkot faces a difficult 28-day deadline, with possible extensions, to form a government through various unlikely options including a minority government with Arab support, a coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties, or a unity government with Netanyahu.
- Eisenkot, who has publicly criticized Netanyahu's leadership and far-right allies, is known for his military background and opposition to settler violence, and would be Israel's first prime minister from the Mizrahi community if successful.
- If Eisenkot fails to form a government, other candidates will have opportunities before a new election is triggered after about 100 days of negotiation attempts.
