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Israeli President to Name Prime Minister Candidate Sunday After Consultations
President Isaac Herzog announced on Saturday evening, November 7, 2026, that he will task Knesset Member and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government. The decision followed extensive consultations with parliamentary factions of the 26th Knesset, during which Eisenkot secured the recommendations of 67 lawmakers. In contrast, incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received 46 recommendations, while the seven members of the United Torah Judaism party abstained from recommending any candidate.
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What happened
- 01President Isaac Herzog will officially task Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
- 02Gadi Eisenkot secured recommendations from 67 Knesset members, while incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received 46 recommendations.
- 03The seven Knesset members of the United Torah Judaism party abstained from recommending any candidate for the premiership.
- 04Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a coalition, with a potential 14-day extension that could push the final deadline to December 20.
- 05The United List party pledged to support an Eisenkot minority government by not voting for no-confidence motions or Knesset dissolution.
- 06Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed a national unity government with the Change Bloc parties to address national threats.
- 07Hundreds of demonstrators are expected to protest President Herzog's decision outside the President's Residence in Jerusalem.
The official mandate-granting ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at 5:00 PM at the President's Residence in Jerusalem. Once he officially receives the mandate, Eisenkot will have 28 days to assemble a coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension from the president. If he succeeds, the initial deadline for government formation is December 6, which could be extended to December 20.
Despite securing a majority of recommendations, Eisenkot faces significant challenges in establishing a stable coalition due to political disagreements among his supporting parties. Right-wing factions plan to obstruct any government reliant on Arab or ultra-Orthodox factions, and hundreds are expected to protest the decision outside the President's Residence. Prior to the announcement, Netanyahu called for a broad national unity government, proposing a coalition with the Change Bloc parties to counter threats and preserve Israel's Jewish character.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 13 newsrooms. Updated
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Israeli President to Name Prime Minister Candidate Sunday After Consultations
