Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next occupation government, handing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a major political setback following last month's parliamentary elections.
The decision, announced on Saturday, gives Eisenkot, a former Israeli military chief and head of the Yashar party, the first opportunity to assemble a governing coalition and replace Netanyahu, who has been seeking to retain power.
According to Israeli media reports, Eisenkot will receive the mandate on Sunday.
The October 27 election failed to produce a clear parliamentary majority, leaving both political camps struggling to secure the support needed to form a government. Eisenkot secured recommendations from 67 of the Knesset's 120 members during consultations with parliamentary factions, compared with 46 lawmakers who backed Netanyahu.
The backing for Eisenkot came from four Jewish-led opposition parties, alongside the Arab-led Ra'am and Joint List parties.
However, securing the mandate does not guarantee that Eisenkot will succeed in forming a government. He has ruled out including Arab-led parties in his governing coalition, despite receiving their recommendations, leaving his efforts to secure a parliamentary majority uncertain.
The political deadlock follows the October 27 elections, in which Netanyahu's right-wing and religious alliance secured 53 seats, while four Jewish-led parties backing Eisenkot won a combined 48 seats. The two Arab-led parties secured 19 seats.
Under Israeli law, Eisenkot now has 28 days to form a government and secure the Knesset's confidence. Herzog can grant an extension of up to 14 additional days if necessary. If Eisenkot fails, the president can assign another lawmaker the task of forming a government.
This comes as Netanyahu faces mounting political difficulties following the election results and the loss of his parliamentary majority, as well as growing international isolation over Israel's genocidal war on Gaza and its attacks on Iran and Lebanon.
