Israeli President Selects Eisenkot to Build New Government
WHO:
Al Jazeera - Gadi Eisenkot was born in Tiberias to parents from Marrakesh and Casablanca, grew up in Eilat, and joined the army at age 18.
Al Jazeera - Aida Touma-Sliman, a Hadash Knesset member and Joint List member, said Eisenkot appeared more willing to compromise with ultra-Orthodox parties over military conscription than to risk relying on Arab support.
Al Jazeera - Carnegie Endowment senior fellow Aaron David Miller said Israel’s reputation in the United States was at a low ebb and that Eisenkot would need to address it.
Al Jazeera - Chatham House senior fellow Yossi Mekelberg said Eisenkot offered Israelis “a sense of normalcy” and the view that rules should apply equally, including to the government.
Al Jazeera - Ahmad Tibi, a senior Joint List member, said Herzog’s choice was “expected” and said Arab-led parties endorsed Eisenkot to give him a “considerable margin.”
Al Jazeera - Tibi said he favored ending the Netanyahu government, including the parties led by Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and called Netanyahu “the biggest terrorist in Israel and the region.”
Al Jazeera - Al Jazeera correspondent Nour Odeh reported from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank and said Herzog “took the predictable route” by selecting the candidate with the most recommendations.
CNN - Gadi Eisenkot, a retired military chief and leader of the centrist Yashar party, was selected to try to form Israel’s next government.
CNN - President Isaac Herzog is to give Eisenkot the mandate; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is his main rival and leads the Likud.
CNN - Eisenkot received recommendations from 67 members of the incoming Knesset, including 19 members of the two Arab parties; Netanyahu received 46.
CNN - United Torah Judaism, traditionally an ally of Netanyahu, did not recommend him.
CNN - The four Jewish opposition parties Eisenkot proposes joining a government are Yashar; Together, led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid; Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Liberman; and the Democrats, led by Yair Golan.
CNN - Liberman, a former defense, foreign affairs and finance minister, opposes a government that depends on Arab parties.
CNN - Netanyahu’s bloc includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties. Netanyahu’s Shin Bet director, David Zini, has pushed to investigate Arab politicians, CNN reported, without public evidence.
CBS News - Herzog gave opposition candidate Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a governing coalition; neither Eisenkot nor Netanyahu’s party won a clear majority.
Drudge Report - Its headline says Israel’s president tapped Eisenkot to form a government in a setback for Netanyahu.
WHAT:
Al Jazeera - Arab-led parties representing Palestinian citizens of Israel won a record 19 seats.
Al Jazeera - If Eisenkot does not form a government, a second nominee may try; if that nominee also fails, a parliamentary majority may back a third candidate, who receives a final 14 days. If no government is formed, a new election would be called within 90 days, while Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister.
Al Jazeera - Ahmad Tibi said the Arab-led parties’ support gave Eisenkot a “considerable margin” and that he expected them to offer external support for a minority government.
Al Jazeera - Eisenkot served in the national unity government Netanyahu assembled after the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel.
Al Jazeera - The article described the number of people killed by Israel under the Dahiyeh Doctrine in subsequent years as unknown.
Al Jazeera - Eisenkot emerged as leader of the opposition bloc only days before the election; messaging within the coalition was described as confused and lacking a central coordinator.
Al Jazeera - Support from United Torah Judaism may be conditional on maintaining the de facto protection for young ultra-Orthodox men who refuse military service.
Al Jazeera - Arab-led parties may seek meaningful action to address violent crime in Palestinian communities inside Israel and an end to violent settler attacks in the occupied West Bank.
Al Jazeera - Eisenkot is credited with devising the Dahiyeh Doctrine, which advocates disproportionate force and widespread destruction against civilian communities resisting Israeli force.
Al Jazeera - United Nations figures recorded about 650 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or in conflict-related incidents from 2015 to 2018, including 295 in 2018. During the Great March of Return protests, 189 Palestinians were killed and thousands wounded, including 35 children.
Al Jazeera - A UN commission found reasonable grounds to believe Israeli forces under Eisenkot’s command committed serious violations of international law, some potentially amounting to war crimes or crimes against humanity.
Al Jazeera - Israel killed 1,109 people in the 2006 Lebanon war, about 860 of them civilians, according to the article.
Al Jazeera - Eisenkot’s son Gal was killed in Jabalia in northern Gaza in December 2023, followed a day later by his nephew Maor; another nephew, Yogev Pazy, was killed in Gaza in November 2024.
Al Jazeera - A Palestinian-citizen-of-Israel party’s outside support may be sought in exchange for meaningful efforts against violent crime in Palestinian communities and settler attacks in the occupied West Bank.
Al Jazeera - If Eisenkot wins over United Torah Judaism and Shas, the two ultra-Orthodox parties, his coalition would reach 61 seats.
Al Jazeera - The four-party alliance led by Eisenkot won 48 seats in the election; Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc secured 53, and Arab-led parties won 19 seats.
Al Jazeera - Eisenkot could form a government with fewer than 61 seats if he wins a parliamentary confidence vote.
Al Jazeera - If Eisenkot and a second nominee fail to form a government, a parliamentary majority may back a third candidate, who would receive a final 14 days; if no government is formed, a new election would be called within 90 days.
Al Jazeera - Eisenkot led Israel’s military from 2015 to 2019 and served as an observer in Netanyahu’s war cabinet for its first eight months.
BBC News - Neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc secured a majority in the election.
CNN - The opposition intends to replace Netanyahu’s Knesset speaker, which would weaken his influence and enable actions including forming a state commission of inquiry into security failures leading to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
CNN - The Likud said it would welcome a broad unity government if it dissolved its alliance with extremist parties and joined a government under Eisenkot.
CNN - Eisenkot is seeking what he calls a “national emergency government,” initially comprising the four Jewish opposition parties, which together hold 48 Knesset seats.
CNN - His stated conditions include recognizing Israel as a Jewish, democratic, liberal and egalitarian state; commitment to the Declaration of Independence’s values; universal military, national or civilian service; and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization.
CNN - Eisenkot’s Hamas condition effectively rules out Arab parties joining the Cabinet, though they could support the government from outside.
CNN - Liberman proposed pursuing a coalition of 61 lawmakers with Shas and United Torah Judaism, without the Joint List and Ra’am, then seeking defections from three or four Likud lawmakers.
CNN - Netanyahu called for a national unity government including his bloc and said a minority government supported by Arab parties meant Israel would “simply not survive.” Eisenkot called Netanyahu’s message a “pathetic spin.”
CBS News - The acting director-general of the Central Elections Committee, Din Livne, wrote that “there is no basis to the claims regarding a systematic compromise of the integrity of the elections.”
WHERE:
CNN - The government and coalition process concerns Israel and its 120-seat Knesset.
CBS News - Herzog’s decision followed discussions with parties in Israel.
WHEN:
CNN - Eisenkot is to receive the mandate on Sunday and has 28 days to negotiate, with a possible 14-day extension; if he fails, Netanyahu may receive four weeks to try.
CNN - The new Knesset’s swearing-in is scheduled for Tuesday.
CBS News - The election was held on Oct. 27.
WHY:
Al Jazeera - Aida Touma-Sliman said Eisenkot appeared more willing to compromise with ultra-Orthodox parties over conscription than risk relying on Arab support.
Al Jazeera - Aaron David Miller said Israel’s reputation in the United States had reached a low ebb and Eisenkot would need to address it; Miller said some Americans view Israel as “Goliath” rather than “David.”
Al Jazeera - Eisenkot’s family background and military service were presented as distinguishing him from Netanyahu’s privileged Ashkenazi background.
Al Jazeera - The article said Eisenkot’s relatives’ deaths in Gaza shaped a public image contrasting with Netanyahu’s family’s comparatively glamorous lifestyle.
Al Jazeera - Israeli reputation in the United States was described as damaged by the Gaza war and the US-Israel war on Iran; the article said Trump announced an end to Israel’s annual $3.8 billion military aid package.
Al Jazeera - Netanyahu said a government relying on Arab-led parties would “dismantle the state of Israel from within,” comparing the alleged threat to what he said was happening in European countries.
CNN - Liberman argued that a minority government supported by Arab parties would be short-lived and strengthen Netanyahu, predicting, “We’ll have Netanyahu come back with 70 seats for another four years, and from there it’s a short road to annihilation.”
CNN - Liberman’s proposed coalition with Shas and United Torah Judaism conflicts with the opposition’s campaign commitment to end the blanket military draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox men; the ultra-Orthodox parties seek legislation preserving that exemption.
CNN - Herzog’s decision followed consultations with parties elected to the Knesset; CNN reported that Eisenkot’s recommendation count exceeded Netanyahu’s.
CBS News - Herzog’s decision was a setback for Netanyahu, who alleged election interference by Arab countries.
HOW:
Al Jazeera - Eisenkot could form a government with fewer than 61 seats if it passes a parliamentary confidence vote.
Al Jazeera - As chief of staff, Eisenkot oversaw air strikes against Iranian targets and armed rebels in Syria.
Al Jazeera - Eisenkot could form a government with fewer than 61 seats if it passes a parliamentary confidence vote.
Al Jazeera - The Joint List, a coalition of Arab-led parties, holds 11 seats; Tibi said he expected the parties to provide external support for a minority government.
Al Jazeera - Herzog told Eisenkot of his decision before the formal mandate ceremony.
CNN - Eisenkot’s proposed coalition faces divisions within the opposition and political obstacles, including disagreement over cooperation with Arab parties and exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox men.
CNN - Israeli law requires a simple majority to establish a government; removing one requires an absolute majority of 61 votes supporting an alternative government.
CNN - Eisenkot said he wanted to form a government quickly, citing the danger of a caretaker prime minister who had lost public trust continuing to run security and law enforcement.
CBS News - Representatives from most major parties recommended Eisenkot during discussions with Herzog.
(UPDATED November 8, 2026 16:59 UTC)
President Herzog tapped opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel’s next government, challenging Netanyahu. Neither bloc won a majority, leaving coalition talks uncertain. Arab-led parties may support Eisenkot’s government from outside the Cabinet.
--
(UPDATED November 8, 2026 15:57 UTC)
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog tapped opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, challenging Netanyahu. Eisenkot’s bloc has 48 seats, while Netanyahu’s has 53; neither holds a majority. Arab parties could support Eisenkot from outside, as he seeks a broad coalition.
--
(UPDATED November 8, 2026 14:56 UTC)
President Isaac Herzog selected Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel’s next government, challenging Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership. Eisenkot’s bloc won 48 seats, while Netanyahu’s secured 53; neither achieved a majority.
--
(UPDATED November 8, 2026 09:56 UTC)
President Isaac Herzog tapped Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel’s next government, a setback for Netanyahu. Eisenkot secured recommendations from 67 lawmakers, but neither bloc won a majority. He seeks a unity government, while Arab-led parties could offer support from outside.
--
(UPDATED November 8, 2026 03:59 UTC)
Israel’s president tapped opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, challenging Netanyahu. Eisenkot won more lawmakers’ recommendations, but neither camp holds a majority. Coalition talks face divisions over Arab-party support and ultra-Orthodox alliances.
--
(UPDATED November 8, 2026 02:57 UTC)
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog tapped opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, a setback for Netanyahu. Neither camp secured a majority, despite Eisenkot winning more lawmakers’ recommendations. Coalition talks face disputes over Arab support and military-service exemptions.
--
(UPDATED November 8, 2026 00:00 UTC)
President Isaac Herzog tapped Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel’s next government, a setback for Netanyahu. Eisenkot won recommendations from 67 lawmakers, but neither bloc holds a majority. His coalition talks face divisions over Arab-party support and ultra-Orthodox military exemptions.
--
(UPDATED November 7, 2026 22:56 UTC)
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog chose opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, challenging Netanyahu. Neither leader has a majority, though Eisenkot won more lawmakers’ recommendations. He now faces coalition talks, with Netanyahu waiting if those efforts fail.
--
(UPDATED November 7, 2026 21:56 UTC)
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog tapped opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, challenging Netanyahu. Neither leader has a majority, and Eisenkot received more lawmakers’ recommendations. He is seeking a four-party coalition and has weeks to negotiate.