President to Task Eisenkot with Forming Government Amidst Political Uncertainty

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to task Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar!" party, with forming a government on Sunday morning. Eisenkot received 67 recommendations from elected Knesset members during consultations with the president. This marks the beginning of a busy political week, culminating in the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset on Tuesday.

Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension. The success of this mission remains uncertain. If Eisenkot fails, the mandate will pass to Benjamin Netanyahu for 28 days, though his chances are considered lower. Should Netanyahu also fail, the mandate would return to the Knesset, where any member able to gather 61 supporters could attempt to form a government.

The "change bloc" holds 48 mandates, with an additional 19 from Arab parties, which are unlikely to join the coalition. Eisenkot has stated his intention to form a minority government with the 48 MKs from the bloc. He previously wrote on X, "It is time to establish a national emergency government."

Despite previous commitments, the change bloc has begun negotiations with ultra-Orthodox parties. Sources close to Netanyahu reportedly fear that the ultra-Orthodox bloc might shift support to Eisenkot, especially after the "United Torah Judaism" party refrained from recommending any candidate for prime minister. The Likud also fears that the Shas party might follow suit. Netanyahu has reportedly warned senior figures in the ultra-Orthodox community that Eisenkot would not grant them a conscription law.

The 26th Knesset will be sworn in on Tuesday, with 48 new members, signifying Netanyahu's definitive loss of his majority. The election of a new Knesset speaker is scheduled for the following week. The current speaker, Amir Ohana, has stated he will allow a vote for his replacement if 61 signatures are collected.