In brief
In a move following parliamentary consultations, Israel’s president Isaac Herzog has given Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot a 28‑day mandate to assemble a governing coalition. Eisenkot’s task is complicated by limited support from Arab and ultra‑Orthodox parties, and critics warn the coalition could struggle to reach the 61‑seat majority needed in the 120‑seat parliament. If Eisenkot fails, Herzog may turn to another candidate or call fresh elections.
In a decision delivered late on Saturday night, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that he would task Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country’s next government, following consultations with political parties.
Herzog’s announcement came after a meeting with the leaders of the parliamentary factions that participated in the most recent election; the president’s office had received recommendations from lawmakers regarding the most suitable candidate to form a coalition. The council’s recommendation went to Eisenkot, who has recently served as Israel’s former Chief of the General Staff.
The decision was formalized on Sunday when Herzog invited Eisenkot to the presidential residence at 5 p.m. local time to receive the mandate in person. Eisenkot immediately posted a brief message on the social‑media platform X
“This is the time to establish a national emergency government. I will do anything possible to prove us worthy.”
The Israeli constitution grants the president the authority to commission a qualified legislative leader to form a government within 28 days. Under the law, the person who receives the mandate may also request a 14‑day extension from the president if coalition negotiations stall. Should Eisenkot fail to assemble a majority, Herzog may hand the task to another candidate, or he may seek dissolution of the 120‑seat Knesset, prompting a fresh general election.
In the parliamentary recommendations submitted to Herzog, Eisenkot received backing from 48 lawmakers belonging to four opposition‑bloc parties, coupled with support from 19 representatives of Arab‑led parties. By comparison, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was recommended by 46 lawmakers. Notably, all seven members of the ultra‑Orthodox United Torah Judaism party declined to endorse either candidate, leaving a potential 13‑seat obstacle to a majority.
Analysts note that Eisenkot’s prospects of achieving the 61‑seat majority necessary for a stable governing coalition are challenging, according to Xinhua coverage. The obstacles are twofold: divisions within the opposition over the willingness to cooperate with Arab‑led parties, and disagreements with the ultra‑Orthodox factions, who together command 13 seats in the Knesset. Eisenkot’s ability to navigate these internal conflicts will be critical to his success; any misstep could necessitate Herzog’s intervention or the invitation of an alternative candidate.
Earlier Saturday, very public comments from Prime Minister Netanyahu added additional pressure to the unfolding politics. Netanyahu called for a national unity government, warning against a coalition that would rely on Arab‑party support and accusing these groups of seeking Israel’s destruction. He added that a national unity government should include all parties of the current governing coalition, together with “all the Zionist parties that want to protect our country.” These remarks underscored the strong hostility that still exists within Israeli politics toward Arab political participation.
The public reaction to the president’s announcement has been mixed. Protesters at Habima Square in Taipei University, Tel Aviv, rallied for a unity government achieved through cooperation between Jewish and Arab parties. Observers note the high stakes for Israel’s domestic politics, as the composition of the cabinet will directly influence the country’s security and legislative agenda.
Under the new mandate, Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a coalition that commands a majority of 61 votes in the Knesset; he may request a 14‑day extension at a later date if negotiations prove difficult. While the president’s decision does not yet bind the broader political landscape, the outcome of Eisenkot’s nine‑week effort will be closely monitored by all stakeholders in Israeli politics, as well as international observers. If Eisenkot cannot secure the necessary threshold, Herzog is prepared to re‑allocate the mandate to a different candidate or elevate the pressure on the Knesset to dissolve itself, triggering new elections that could reshape the country’s policy trajectory in the coming months.
