Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot to form government: Statement

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has chosen Gadi Eisenkot to make the first attempt at forming a government after October’s closely fought election. The decision puts the centrist leader of an alliance opposed to Benjamin Netanyahu at the centre of coalition negotiations, though securing enough support will be difficult.

Eisenkot’s alliance won 48 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, while Netanyahu’s camp secured 53; neither reached the 61-seat majority needed to govern. Arab-majority party lists have recommended Eisenkot, but he must navigate complex talks involving Arab and ultra-Orthodox parties. He has 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension; if no candidate succeeds, Israel will hold another election.