# Herzog to hear Netanyahu and Eisenkot before naming government formateur

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/herzog-to-meet-israeli-election-rivals-as-decision-nears-on-path-to-power/
- Published: 2026-11-05T20:18:59+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/nov/05/herzog-netanyahu-eisenkot-israel-election-decision
- Topics: Elections, Government, Middle East, Politics, World

## Key points

- Herzog is hearing from Netanyahu and Eisenkot before choosing a formateur.
- Neither bloc has a Knesset majority.
- Palestinian parties could influence whether a coalition is formed.

## Summary

New coverage says President Isaac Herzog is due to hear from Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot before deciding which should first try to form Israel’s next government. Neither bloc won a majority in last month’s election, so Herzog must judge who has the best chance of building a stable coalition; failure could lead to another election.

Netanyahu’s coalition fell from 68 seats to 53 in the 120-seat Knesset, while Eisenkot’s Change bloc won 48 and Palestinian parties hold 19. Arab Israeli turnout rose to about 80%, while Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza could not vote. Ra’am says it would join an Eisenkot-led government, while the Joint List has suggested it may support an opposition from outside.

## Coverage

- [The Guardian: Herzog to hear Netanyahu and Eisenkot before naming government formateur](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/nov/05/herzog-netanyahu-eisenkot-israel-election-decision)
- [Washington Examiner: Israel’s Arab parties choose between ‘bad and even worse’ as they back Gadi Eisenkot over Netanyahu to form government](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/4794224/israel-arab-parties-back-eisenkot/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.