President Taps Eisenkot to Form Government After Herzog's Announcement

Following President Isaac Herzog's announcement, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar!" party, is set to arrive at the President's Residence on Sunday afternoon to receive the mandate to form a new government. The President's Residence stated that following consultations, factions representing 67 Knesset members recommended Eisenkot for the task. In contrast, factions totaling 46 Knesset members recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while one faction of seven members made no recommendation. The President's Residence noted that Herzog had engaged in in-depth discussions with various political figures, including Netanyahu and Eisenkot, informing them of his intention.

Under Israeli law, the designated individual will have 28 days to assemble a government, with a possible 14-day extension granted by the President. Eisenkot expressed on social media platform X that it is time for a national emergency government and pledged to do his utmost to be worthy of the role. Prime Minister Netanyahu, in a recorded statement, called for national unity, stating it is the will of the people and the need of the hour. He warned against the formation of a government reliant on supporters of terrorism and those seeking Israel's destruction, asserting such a government would not fight Hamas.

Netanyahu urged the formation of a national unity government including all national and Zionist parties committed to preserving the country, removing the Iranian nuclear threat, and maintaining Israel's Jewish character. Eisenkot responded critically, suggesting that those who have divided Israeli society only speak of unity when their time in office is limited. He invited the Likud and its allies to publicly declare the dissolution of their alliance with extremists, accept "Yashar!"'s four principles, and agree to a government led by Eisenkot if they genuinely seek unity and a broad government.