President Taps Eisenkot to Form New Israeli Government

By דפנה ליאל

Translated & summarized from N12 by baba

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Hebrew · 15 newsrooms covering

President Isaac Herzog has officially tasked Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, with forming Israel's next government, following consultations where Eisenkot secured support from 67 Knesset members. Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government, with a potential extension. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had called for a unity government, but his speech was criticized by Eisenkot's party as a "pathetic spin." Eisenkot stated his intention to form a national emergency government.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

President Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government.
Eisenkot secured support from 67 Knesset members during consultations.
Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension.
Prime Minister Netanyahu called for a unity government before the decision.
Eisenkot's party called Netanyahu's speech a "pathetic spin."

President Taps Eisenkot to Form New Israeli Government — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

President Isaac Herzog announced Saturday evening that he will task Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, with forming the next Israeli government. The president's decision came after consultations with Knesset faction representatives and further deliberations over the weekend. Eisenkot has been invited to the President's Residence for a formal ceremony on Sunday evening to receive the mandate. Upon receiving the mandate, Eisenkot will have 28 days to assemble a new government, with a possible 14-day extension granted by the president.

During the recent consultations, Eisenkot received the support of factions totaling 67 Knesset members, significantly more than the 47 who recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot posted on social media, stating, "Now is the time to establish a national emergency government. I will do everything to ensure we are worthy."

Earlier, Prime Minister Netanyahu released a video calling for a national unity government, timed just before the president's announcement. In his address, Netanyahu criticized parties he accused of supporting terrorism and seeking to establish a Palestinian state, warning that a government dependent on such factions would not effectively combat Hamas or protect Israel's Jewish character. He also cautioned against internal division, drawing parallels to unrest in European cities.

Yisrael Beiteinu responded sharply to Netanyahu's speech, calling it a "pathetic spin." The party accused Netanyahu of hypocrisy, stating he only invoked unity when his political future seemed uncertain and that he had systematically worked against it. They criticized his past actions, including forming a government with Itamar Ben-Gvir against his own promises, and labeled him a "prime minister of failure" who excelled at dividing Israeli society. The party reiterated that Eisenkot's proposed national emergency government would adhere to four core principles, including recognizing Hamas as a terror organization and committing to its destruction. They invited the Likud party to publicly break ties with "extremists" and join Eisenkot's government if they genuinely sought unity.