Politics news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Israel’s President Taps Opposition Candidate Eisenkot To Form A Government, In Setback For Netanyahu
Developing story first seen 9 hours ago
President Isaac Herzog has given opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form Israel’s next government, a setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose bloc lost its parliamentary majority. Eisenkot, a former military chief, now has an opportunity to replace the country’s longest-serving premier, but the appointment does not guarantee he can assemble a government.
Eisenkot has up to six weeks to secure a parliamentary majority after the 27 October election, but his own bloc also fell short. Arab-led parties made historic gains and could offer support, though such an alliance would be contentious: an Arab party has joined a governing coalition only once before. Other options include a unity government with major Jewish parties or a minority government backed externally by Arab parties, but each path faces opposition and difficult compromises.
- Sources
- 2
- Outlets
- 2
- Left · Centre · Right
- 2 · 0 · 0
In short
- Eisenkot gets the first chance to form Israel’s next government.
- Both his bloc and Netanyahu’s lost their parliamentary majority.
- Coalition talks may hinge on politically fraught Arab-party support.
How this story developed
- 24 minutes ago President Isaac Herzog has asked opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot to try to form Israel’s next government, putting him in a position to challenge Benjamin Netanyahu after the prime minister’s bloc lost its parliamentary majority.
- 34 minutes ago President Isaac Herzog has given opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form Israel’s next government, a setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose bloc lost its parliamentary majority.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Giving Eisenkot the mandate would respect the election result and test whether a new coalition can better reflect the changed balance in parliament. Supporters could argue that cooperation with Arab-led parties, or a broad unity arrangement, offers a legitimate route to stable government and wider representation, while an inquiry into the 7 October failures could strengthen accountability.
The case against
Netanyahu’s supporters could argue that the election did not give Eisenkot’s bloc a majority either, so the mandate alone does not establish a clear public endorsement for replacing the incumbent government. They may also see a coalition dependent on Arab-led parties or fragile compromises over military service and security policy as difficult to sustain at a time of war and deep national division.
Coverage · 2 sources
Bias meters
From 2 rated sources.
Elections Government Middle East Politics World