Full coverage· Politics· Updated 7 Nov, 23:14

President Taps Eisenkot to Form Next Israeli Government

President Isaac Herzog has announced that he is tasking Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government. The decision followed consultations in which Eisenkot secured recommendations from 67 Knesset members, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received 46 recommendations. Seven Knesset members abstained, and the Yahadut HaTorah party did not recommend any candidate, according to Mignews.

3 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 7 Nov, 21:26

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President Taps Eisenkot to Form Next Israeli Government — Illustration by baba

What happened

01President Isaac Herzog announced he will task Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next Israeli government after Eisenkot secured 67 Knesset recommendations.
02Outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received 46 recommendations, while seven Knesset members abstained and Yahadut HaTorah made no recommendation.
03Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension from the President.
04Kipa and Mignews reported the official mandate ceremony will be Sunday at 5:00 PM, while Calcalist reported it will be on Wednesday.
05Outlets disagreed on Eisenkot's party, listing him as leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, the National Unity Party, or Yesh Atid.
06According to Mignews, Eisenkot's team has ruled out a national unity government with Netanyahu and may seek a minority government.
07Netanyahu opposed any government reliant on Arab parties, while hundreds of demonstrators are expected to protest the President's decision.

Outlets reported different affiliations for Eisenkot, with Kipa calling him the chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, Calcalist identifying him as the chairman of the National Unity Party, and Mignews naming him the leader of Yesh Atid. The official mandate-granting ceremony is scheduled to take place at the President's Residence. Kipa and Mignews reported the ceremony will occur on Sunday at 5:00 PM, while Calcalist reported it will take place on Wednesday.

Once he receives the mandate, the former IDF Chief of Staff will have 28 days to assemble a coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension. Eisenkot faces the challenge of forming a coalition amidst deep political divisions. According to Mignews, his team has ruled out a national unity government with Netanyahu, and is considering scenarios such as a coalition with Shas or a minority government relying on Arab factions and Yahadut HaTorah. Netanyahu has expressed opposition to any government reliant on Arab parties.

Protests are expected to take place outside the President's Residence following the decision, according to Kipa.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 01:36

Latest report: Kipa. Read Kipa’s original