Herzog to Task Eisenkot With Forming Israel’s Government
Israel’s President Herzog said Nov. 7 he will task Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot on Nov. 8 with forming a government, after 67 lawmakers recommended him.
Featured photo: the Knesset in Jerusalem (file photo). Photo: Hedva Sanderovitz / PikiWiki Israel, Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
JERUSALEM — Israeli President Isaac Herzog will task Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel’s next government at 5 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2026, the President’s Residence announced on Nov. 7, The Times of Israel reported.
Herzog told Eisenkot and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his decision that evening, after further talks over the weekend with figures across the political spectrum, including both rivals, the statement said.
The numbers
In Herzog’s consultations with party delegations representing all 120 incoming Knesset members, Eisenkot received 67 recommendations for prime minister and Netanyahu 46, The Times of Israel reported. United Torah Judaism, with seven seats, made no recommendation.
What happens next
Eisenkot will receive the mandate at a ceremony at the President’s Residence. He will then have 28 days to form a government, and Herzog can extend that by up to 14 days if needed, The Times of Israel reported.
What to watch
Assessment: Recommendations are not seats in a coalition: Eisenkot still has to turn 67 endorsements from different parties into a working government within the deadline. For the Iran war, the key question is whether a new government keeps Israel’s current war aims and its coordination with Washington.
Sources
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