Israel’s former chief of staff Eisenkot in strong position to replace Netanyahu as new PM

Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the leading candidate to form Israel’s next government after six parties, together representing 67 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, recommended him to President Isaac Herzog. The endorsements put him ahead of incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu at the stage of presidential consultations, but do not guarantee that Eisenkot can assemble a governing majority.

Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats in the 27 October election, while the opposition parties that first backed Eisenkot held 48. Two Arab lists then added 19 recommendations for him, while an ultra-Orthodox party withdrew its support for Netanyahu; Herzog said he would announce whom he will appoint on Sunday. If selected, Eisenkot will have 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to secure a confidence vote, and will need to bridge differences over coalition partners and issues such as ultra-Orthodox military service.