International Desk

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government instead of incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision was made after no political bloc secured an outright majority in the parliamentary election, prompting the president to consider the country's political arithmetic.

The development was reported by British broadcaster BBC on Sunday (November 8).

According to the report, Eisenkot has initially been given 28 days to form a government. If he fails to do so within the stipulated period, he may receive an additional 14 days.

After receiving the mandate, Eisenkot said in a message posted on social media platform X that the time had come to form a national emergency government. He also pledged to do everything necessary to achieve that goal.

In Israel's parliamentary election held on October 27, no alliance secured the required majority to form a government. In the 120-seat Knesset, Netanyahu's alliance won 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot secured 48 seats. Arab parties won the remaining 19 seats.

A government in Israel requires the support of at least 61 members of the Knesset. As a result, the backing of Arab parties has become crucial to the formation of the next government.

However, Eisenkot has yet to express interest in forming an alliance with Arab parties. Several Zionist parties within his bloc are also opposed to a political partnership with them. As an alternative, negotiations are reportedly underway with ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties.

President Isaac Herzog said he assigned Eisenkot the task of forming a government following consultations with political parties. Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot were informed of the decision.

According to a statement from the President's Office, 67 members of the Knesset expressed support for Eisenkot as prime minister, while Netanyahu received the backing of 46 members.

Eisenkot now faces the major challenge of securing support from at least 61 lawmakers to form a functioning government.