Netanyahu challenger Eisenkot tasked with forming new Israeli government
Gadi Eisenkot, the former chief of the Israel Defense Forces and the main challenger to incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was officially tasked on Sunday with forming a government in Israel, a week and a half after parliamentary elections resulted in no clear winner.
During a ceremony at the residence of Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, Herzog formally tasked Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, with forming a government.
Herzog said he had concluded several days of in-depth talks with "all the factions elected to the Knesset," the Israeli parliament, before officially asking Eisenkot to form a new government.
During the consultations, factions totaling 67 members of the Knesset supported Eisenkot, and a bloc of 46 members supported Netanyahu, who leads the Likud party, according to the president's office.
"These conversations were conducted with openness, candor, and transparency, and they represented the essential nature of the democratic process," Herzog said. "They also brought to the surface the disputes, the painful points, and of course, the multitude of voices within Israeli society and politics. They were frank and pointed conversations, addressing the most important issues of this time."
Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a new government, with a possible 14-day extension.
Following the Oct. 27 parliamentary elections, the coalitions of both Netanyahu and Eisenkot failed to secure a majority of 61 seats in the Knesset.
"In light of this, and following talks I have held with various figures in recent days, it is therefore evident that Mr. Eisenkot has received the clear and unequivocal support of a majority of members of Knesset on the most central question: who has the better chance of forming the next government that will win the confidence of the Knesset," Herzog said.
Security issues and the ongoing conflict with Iran -- as well as questions over Netanyahu's management of the war in Gaza -- dominated the election campaign.
"All these immense challenges, and many more, stand before us. The State of Israel needs a stable government that can meet them over time," Herzog said. "This is the time to reach out a hand, to do everything for the unity of our people, and to strive for the best and most stable government possible for the people of Israel, which yearns for it."
Shortly after the announcement from the president's office, Eisenkot posted a photo on social media depicting him shaking hands with Herzog alongside a statement reading: "Now is the time to form a national emergency government. I will do everything to ensure we prove ourselves worthy."
Prior to the announcement from the president's office, Netanyahu posted a video on social media calling for the formation of a national unity government.
