Eisenkot Tapped to Form Government, Faces Complex Coalition Talks
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked by President Yitzhak Herzog to form Israel's 38th government after receiving 67 Knesset recommendations. He has 28 days to establish a coalition, with potential extensions. The path forward is complicated by disagreements among potential partners, including differing views on ultra-Orthodox conscription and reliance on Arab parties. If Eisenkot fails, the mandate could pass to another MK or ultimately lead to new elections.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- President Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's 38th government.
- Eisenkot received recommendations from 67 Knesset members, surpassing Netanyahu's 46.
- Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a potential 14-day extension.
- Failure to form a government could lead to new elections by May 27, 2027.
- Coalition talks are complex, with disagreements on key issues and potential partners.
- A source described the current situation as a "complex maze" for the change bloc.
President Yitzhak Herzog is set to task Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yishai Party, with forming the 38th government of Israel. Eisenkot secured the recommendation of 67 Knesset members, including Arab parties, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received 46 recommendations. Seven members from the United Torah Judaism party abstained from recommending anyone. The official mandate ceremony will take place on Monday at 5:00 PM at the President's Residence.
Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a deadline of December 6, 2026. The President can grant a 14-day extension, pushing the deadline to December 20, 2026. Eisenkot could lose the mandate if he explicitly states he cannot form a government, if the deadline passes without a government, or if the Knesset rejects his proposed government.
Should Eisenkot fail, the mandate returns to the President, who will consult for three days before assigning the task to another Knesset member by December 23, 2026. This second candidate will have only 28 days, without an extension, to form a government by January 20, 2027.
If the second candidate also fails, the Knesset will have 21 days, until February 10, 2027, to agree on a candidate. The President would then assign the mandate to that MK, who would have 14 days to form a government by February 26, 2027. If all attempts fail, the Knesset will dissolve, leading to new elections expected by May 27, 2027.
Meanwhile, coalition negotiations are proving difficult. Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have not yet clarified their stance on Avigdor Lieberman's proposal regarding ultra-Orthodox conscription. Yair Golan favors relying on Arab parties, a move Lieberman opposes. The ultra-Orthodox parties have not committed to joining or supporting a government. United Torah Judaism reportedly has internal disagreements about breaking ties with Netanyahu, while Shas stated it will not abandon its alliance with the right-wing bloc. Party leaders are scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss a joint candidate for Knesset Speaker, aiming to build momentum for a change in leadership and facilitate coalition talks. A source from the "change bloc" described the current situation as a "complex maze," despite a desire to form a government.
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