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Herzog Hands Gadi Eisenkot the Mandate to Form Israel’s Next Government, Sidelining Netanyahu

Abstract editorial illustration of a glowing ballot box in front of a minimalist parliament building under a semicircle of seat-like lights in blue and white tones

For the first time in years, the job of building Israel’s next government is headed to someone other than Benjamin Netanyahu. On Saturday, November 7, President Isaac Herzog informed Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot that he will task him with forming a coalition, according to Al Jazeera, Axios and The Guardian. A formal ceremony is expected Sunday at about 5 p.m. Jerusalem time at the President’s Residence.

The decision follows weeks of uncertainty after the October 27 election produced no clear winner, and it sets up a high-stakes month of negotiations that could reshape Israeli politics.

A deadlocked Knesset

Israel’s 120-seat Knesset requires a majority of 61 to install a government. According to reporting by Al Jazeera, the October 27 vote left Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc with 53 seats, while Eisenkot’s four-party alliance took 48. Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats. Neither main camp can reach 61 on its own, which is why the coming talks matter so much.

Why Herzog chose Eisenkot

Under Israeli law, the president consults with every party elected to the Knesset before deciding who has the best chance of forming a government. In those consultations, Eisenkot was recommended by parties representing 67 lawmakers, compared with 46 for Netanyahu, according to the reports. The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party made no recommendation.

Eisenkot, who served as chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces from 2015 to 2019, leads the Yashar party. He now has 28 days to assemble a coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension if the president agrees.

The math: a narrow path to 61

Recommendations are not the same as coalition commitments. Al Jazeera reports that Eisenkot has ruled out governing with Arab-led parties as coalition partners, which means the votes that helped him win the mandate will not necessarily translate into a government. Analysts point to one possible route: bringing in the ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism, which could push his camp to around 61 seats. Those parties have traditionally aligned with Netanyahu, and any deal would likely involve tough bargaining over religious and military-service issues.

Netanyahu and Yashar trade jabs over ‘unity’

Netanyahu warned that an opposition government backed by Arab parties would harm Israel and called for a national unity government that would include his outgoing coalition partners, according to the coverage.

Yashar fired back, accusing Netanyahu of hypocrisy on unity and inviting Likud’s allies to join a government under Eisenkot, without what it called “extremists.” The party said partners would need to accept Eisenkot’s principles, including:

Israel as a Jewish and democratic state
The values of Israel’s Declaration of Independence
Mandatory service for all citizens
Recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization and dismantling its military and governing power

What’s next and why it matters

The formal handover of the mandate is expected Sunday evening in Jerusalem. From there, the 28-day clock starts. If Eisenkot cannot assemble 61 votes, even with an extension, the president can hand the task to another lawmaker, or the Knesset could move toward yet another election.

The outcome matters well beyond Israel’s borders. The next government will shape policy on Gaza and Hamas, relations with the United States and regional partners, and the long-running domestic fight over military service for ultra-Orthodox men. A government led by a former army chief from outside Likud would mark one of the biggest shifts in Israeli politics in more than a decade. Netanyahu’s camp, however, remains the largest single bloc and will not give up without a fight.

We will keep following the coalition talks as they unfold.