Full coverage· Politics· Updated 7 Nov, 21:44

Herzog Taps Eisenkot to Form Israeli Government

President Isaac Herzog announced on Saturday evening that he will task Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, with forming Israel's next government. The decision followed consultations with factions elected to the 26th Knesset, in which Eisenkot received recommendations from 67 Knesset members, compared to 46 who recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Seven lawmakers chose not to recommend any candidate. Eisenkot is scheduled to formally receive the mandate at the President's Residence on Sunday at 5:00 PM.

7 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 7 Nov, 17:39

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Herzog Taps Eisenkot to Form Israeli Government — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01President Isaac Herzog will officially task National Unity Party chairman Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government on Sunday at 5:00 PM.
02Gadi Eisenkot secured recommendations from 67 Knesset members, while 46 recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and seven abstained.
03Eisenkot will have 28 days to negotiate a coalition and secure a parliamentary majority, with a potential 14-day extension.
04Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned against a government reliant on terror supporters and called for a national unity government.
05Gadi Eisenkot invited Netanyahu to dissolve his alliances with political extremists and join a government under his leadership.
06According to Al-Shams, Eisenkot was recommended by Yashar, Telem, Democratic Union, Yisrael Beiteinu, United Arab List, and Joint List.
07Avigdor Lieberman expressed flexibility on the conscription law, while Aryeh Deri stated he would not dismantle the right-wing bloc.

Once he receives the mandate, Eisenkot will have 28 days to assemble a coalition that can secure a majority in the Knesset, with the possibility of a 14-day extension from the President. According to Al-Shams, Eisenkot secured recommendations from the Yashar, Telem, Democratic Union, Yisrael Beiteinu, United Arab List, and Joint List parties. Netanyahu was recommended by Likud, Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit, and Shas, while United Torah Judaism abstained.

Prime Minister Netanyahu criticized the move, warning against a government dependent on Hamas supporters and terror supporters, and called for a broad national unity government. Eisenkot responded by inviting Netanyahu to dissolve his alliances with extremists and join a government under his leadership. Meanwhile, other political leaders have begun outlining their terms, with Yair Golan presenting conditions on religion and state, Avigdor Lieberman expressing flexibility on the conscription law, and Aryeh Deri stating he would not dismantle the right-wing bloc.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 6 newsrooms. Updated 07:11