Updated 1h ago · World

Israeli President Taps Eisenkot to Try Forming Government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Saturday he will task Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government. Eisenkot leads the opposition Yashar party.

53 of 120 seats went to Netanyahu's coalition in the Oct. 27 election.
48 seats went to Eisenkot's bloc, short of a majority alone.
19 seats are held by two Arab parties backing Eisenkot's bid.
67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot to Herzog, while 46 recommended Netanyahu.

Why it matters: Netanyahu's Likud won the most seats but cannot command a majority. Netanyahu has not been this close to losing power since 2021.

United Torah Judaism, a Netanyahu ally, declined to recommend him.
The ultra-Orthodox party signaled it could join an Eisenkot-led coalition.

The story so far

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Nov 7Israeli President Taps Eisenkot to Try Forming GovernmentYou are hereLatest

How 42 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 42 sources

42 sources · 48 articles · 48% Center coverage

Center coverage, 20 sources: The center sees a serious setback for Netanyahu, tempered by doubts that Eisenkot's varied backers can govern together.

Axios10hNetanyahu rival Eisenkot tapped to form Israeli government Deutsche Welle10hIsraeli president tasks Gadi Eisenkot, leader of anti-Netanyahu coalition, with forming government NPR10hIsrael's president taps opposition candidate, not Netanyahu, to form a government The National Desk8hIsrael's president gives Netanyahu's rival first chance to form government Associated Press10hIsrael’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu BBC News8hIsrael president asks opposition leader Eisenkot to form government Bloomberg11hEisenkot Gets Chance to Form Israeli Government After Tight Vote CTV News10hIsrael’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu Financial Times10hIsrael’s president gives Gadi Eisenkot first shot at forming a government France 2410h🔴 Israeli president picks Netanyahu's rival Eisenkot to try to form government IBTimes9hIsrael's President Says He Has Chosen Eisenkot To Form The Next Government, But That May Not End The Uncertainty Japan Times5hIsraeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to try to form government Jerusalem Post9hYashar's Eisenkot to receive mandate to form new government, president announces PBS NewsHour9hIsrael’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu Sky News10hBlow for Netanyahu as opposition rival asked to form government by Israel's president The Hill9hIsraeli president picks Netanyahu’s rival Eisenkot to form new government Times of Israel8hPresident Herzog taps Eisenkot to form coalition, but path remains fraught USA Today9hEisenkot, Netanyahu’s top rival, tapped to form government in Israel WPLG Local 1011hIsrael’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu Yahoo News9hIsraeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to try to form government

Left11 sources

The Boston Globe10hIsraeli opposition leader tapped to try to form government Al Jazeera10hIsrael’s president picks Eisenkot over Netanyahu to form next government CNN10hEisenkot to be tasked with forming next Israeli government Los Angeles Times10hIsrael’s opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot tapped to form new government Mediaite10hNetanyahu Rival Gadi Eisenkot Tasked With Forming a New Coalition Government in Israel MSNBC10hIsrael’s president taps Netanyahu rival Eisenkot to form government Political Wire10hIsraeli Opposition Leader Tapped to Form Government Politico10hIsrael’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu The Guardian10hIsrael’s president picks Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot to form government The New York Times10hIsraeli Opposition Leader Tapped to Try to Form Government The Washington Post10hIsraeli president taps ex-general Eisenkot, opponent of Netanyahu, to form government

Right11 sources

The Epoch Times1dIsraeli President Hands Opposition Candidate First Chance at Forming Government Breitbart News7hIsraeli Pres. Herzog Taps Eisenkot to Form Govt. in Netanyahu Setback Daily Mail6hBlow for Netanyahu as his strongest rival is asked to form a government by Israel's president Newsmax11hEisenkot Tapped to Form Israeli Government In Blow to Netanyahu NTD5hIsrael’s President Taps Opposition Candidate Eisenkot to Form Government OutKick8hIsraeli president taps Netanyahu rival to form government as coalition battle looms RedState11hIsraeli President Herzog Snubs Netanyahu for Prime Minister: The Electoral Math Says Good Luck The Washington Times10hIsrael's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu Wall Street Journal9hNetanyahu’s Challenger Tapped to Try to Form Israeli Government Washington Examiner9hHerzog picks Israeli opposition leader to form coalition government ZeroHedge9hAfter Bibi's Unity Plea, Israel's President Gives His Rival First Shot At Power

What’s next: Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government.

Deep divisions among potential partners could still prevent a coalition.
Can Eisenkot hold together a coalition that includes both Arab parties and United Torah Judaism?
What happens to the mandate if Eisenkot fails within 28 days?