Full coverage· Politics· Updated 1 Nov, 20:32

Bennett Backs Eisenkot to Lead Opposition Government

On Sunday, Naftali Bennett announced that his B'Yachad party will recommend Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, to President Isaac Herzog to form Israel's next government. Bennett personally informed Eisenkot of the decision, stating that he is respecting the voters' choice following the recent election. The move comes ahead of the president's consultations with party representatives, which are scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

3 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 1 Nov, 20:08

Plus

Bennett Backs Eisenkot to Lead Opposition Government — Illustration by baba

Photos · 1

Photos the newsrooms posted about this story, and the ones the IDF and Magen David Adom released.

Official photos are free. 1 more with Plus.

What happened

01Naftali Bennett announced Sunday that his B'Yachad party will recommend Gadi Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog to form the next government.
02The Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, emerged as the largest opposition faction with 21 seats, while Bennett's B'Yachad party won 12 seats.
03Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats in the election, while the opposition bloc won 48 seats.
04The Arab parties, Ra'am and the Joint List, won a combined 19 seats and are expected to recommend Eisenkot.
05With B'Yachad and Arab party support, Eisenkot could secure 67 recommendations to receive the mandate from President Herzog.
06Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beytenu has rejected relying on Arab parties to secure a majority for the opposition bloc.
07President Herzog's consultations with party representatives are scheduled to begin on Wednesday to resolve the political deadlock.

The election resulted in a political deadlock, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc securing 53 seats and the opposition bloc winning 48 seats. The Arab parties, Ra'am and the Joint List, won a combined 19 seats. Within the opposition, Eisenkot's Yashar party emerged as the largest faction with 21 seats, while Bennett's B'Yachad party won 12 seats.

With B'Yachad's backing, Eisenkot could potentially secure up to 67 recommendations if the Arab parties also support him, as senior officials from the Joint List indicated they and Ra'am are expected to do. This could grant Eisenkot the mandate to form a coalition government, despite previous opposition deadlock and rivalry from Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, who has rejected relying on Arab parties for a majority.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 04:51

Latest report: i24NEWS French. Read i24NEWS French’s original