Herzog to name government‑forming candidate after 67‑member Eisenkot backing
President Isaac Herzog will announce on 8 Nov which leader will be tasked with forming Israel’s next government, after consultations show 67 of the 120 Knesset members recommend former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, while 46 back Benjamin Netanyahu and seven abstain. The recommendation comes as Arab‑led Joint List and Ra'am, together holding a record 19 seats from the 27 Oct election, endorse Eisenkot, positioning him as the likely kingmaker in a parliament where neither bloc holds a majority.
Key facts
- The Joint List formally recommended Eisenkot to President Herzog on the evening of 5 Nov.
- Ra'am, with eight lawmakers, endorsed Eisenkot on Wednesday.
- Eisenkot’s Yashar party called for an immediate national emergency government.
- Israel Beiteinu indicated it will not sit in a government that relies on Arab party support.
- Netanyahu’s right‑wing bloc won 53 seats, Eisenkot‑led opposition 48, with 61 needed for a majority.
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Why it matters
The choice will determine Israel’s coalition direction after a fragmented election.
What changed
First published from Anadolu Agency, Al-Monitor, Hindustan Times, SVT Nyheter and The National