Herzog to Task Eisenkot With Government Formation After Securing Majority Backing

President Isaac Herzog is expected to task National Unity Chairman Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government on Sunday, after Eisenkot secured recommendations from 67 Knesset members. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received recommendations from 46 members. The seven members of United Torah Judaism abstained from making a recommendation.

Despite Eisenkot's lead in recommendations, Herzog stated he has not yet been convinced that any candidate can form a stable government due to mutual vetoes between and within political blocs. The President announced he would hold individual meetings with party leaders to explore coalition possibilities, vowing to "turn over every stone" to build a stable government.

National Unity asserted that Eisenkot's majority represents the public's choice for change and a vote of no confidence in Netanyahu's government. The party called for the immediate formation of a national emergency government to address the country's challenges, warning that missing this opportunity could lead to further elections.

During consultations, representatives from Otzma Yehudit recommended Netanyahu, while the Democrats and "Beiteinu" recommended Eisenkot. Ra'am and the Joint List also recommended Eisenkot, with Mansour Abbas stating a better government could be formed than the current "government of failures." United Torah Judaism representatives informed Herzog they would not recommend any candidate.

President Herzog reportedly told Likud representative Miri Regev that it's impossible to call for unity while simultaneously telling Eisenkot it's "either right or Palestine." Regev responded that the Likud has no issue with Arabs, but with "terror supporters," and that Eisenkot stated he would sit with them. Herzog noted that neither Eisenkot nor the Arab parties had confirmed this to him.

The Joint List stated their support for Eisenkot was unanimous to prevent Netanyahu's return, but noted the opposition bloc has yet to demonstrate sufficient willingness to confront Netanyahu's methods. They emphasized the importance of widening the gap in recommendations to strengthen the chances of replacing the government and reduce the possibility of a unity government that would keep Netanyahu in power.