B’Yachad

President Isaac Herzog will reveal on 8 Nov which leader he tasks with forming Israel's next government, following consultations that gave former army chief Gadi Eisenkot 67 Knesset recommendations versus 46 for Benjamin Netanyahu, with seven members abstaining. The Arab‑led Joint List and Ra'am, together holding a record 19 seats from the 27 Oct election, have pledged support to Eisenkot. Eisenkot needs at least 61 seats to command a majority, while Netanyahu currently heads a caretaker cabinet of 46 seats.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to decide on Sunday whether to ask Gadi Eisenkot to begin coalition talks after the 27 Oct Knesset election left neither Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc nor Eisenkot's opposition with a majority. Eisenkot is reported to be the favourite for the task, backed by the Joint List, which won 11 seats, and Ra'am, which won eight; together the Arab-led parties took a record 19 seats. Eisenkot's Yashar and Yisrael Beiteinu are among parties recommending him, while United Torah Judaism will not back either leader. Netanyahu's bloc, including Shas, backs him to start talks. A majority requires 61 of 120 seats.

The 27 Oct election results will be certified and delivered to President Isaac Herzog on 4 Nov, confirming that Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats while the Change bloc won 48 and Arab parties captured a record 19 seats, leaving no side with the 61 seats needed to form a government. Voter turnout reached 77.7%, the highest since 1999. Herzog can assign a 28‑day coalition mandate, extendable by 14 days, and is expected to consult party leaders before deciding whom to task with building a coalition.