Israeli president picks Netanyahu rival Eisenkot to form government

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 7 Nov, 20:03 · Archive

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government following an election on 27 October that left parliament deadlocked. Eisenkot, a former military chief and leader of the centrist Yashar party, heads an anti-Netanyahu bloc of parties.

Neither Eisenkot's coalition nor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist grouping secured the 61 seats required for a majority in the Knesset. Netanyahu's coalition lost its majority in the election but remained the largest bloc in parliament. Eisenkot's anti-Netanyahu alliance refused to formally join forces with Arab parties, though such a combination would theoretically hand it a majority.

Representatives from most of Israel's main parties recommended to Herzog during marathon discussions this week that Eisenkot be given the task of forming a government. Arab leaders, despite being angered by policies of Netanyahu and his far-right allies, nominated Eisenkot during these talks with the president.

Herzog informed Eisenkot of his intention on Saturday evening, with a formal appointment ceremony set to take place on Sunday at the president's residence in Jerusalem. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, has alleged election interference by Arab countries. Din Livne, the acting director-general of the Central Elections Committee, said in a letter that there is no basis to claims of systematic compromise of the election's integrity.

The appointment of Eisenkot represents a setback for Netanyahu and signals the start of what is expected to be complicated coalition negotiations.

How it is being reported

• Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot to form government: StatementThe anti-Netanyahu alliance led by former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked with forming a new government, with tricky coalition talks expected.DW News · 7 Nov, 19:56
• Israel’s president picks Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot to form governmentKnesset has been deadlocked since election last month when Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition lost its majority Israel’s president has chosen Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strongest rival, to try to form a new government, Israeli media has reported, following a deadlocked election that left neither man with a clear path to power. Isaac Herzog informed the leader of the Yashar party, Gadi Eisenkot, of his intention to task him with forming a government,” Herzog’s office said, adding that the formal appointment would take place in an official ceremony on Sunday at the…The Guardian · 7 Nov, 19:49
• Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a governmentGadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, ran against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but neither won a clear majority.CBS News · 7 Nov, 19:49
• 🔴 Israeli president picks Netanyahu's rival Eisenkot to try to form governmentFrance 24 · 7 Nov, 19:38

In this story: Isaac Herzog · Gadi Eisenkot · Benjamin Netanyahu · Israel · Yashar · Knesset

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