Israeli opposition leader Eisenkot given mandate to form government

At an official ceremony held at the Israeli Presidential Office at 17:00 local time (18:00 EET), opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot received the mandate to form a government from President Isaac Herzog.

The final results of Israel's parliamentary elections held on October 27 were announced on November 4. In the 120-seat Knesset, neither the current coalition nor the opposition bloc reached the 61-seat majority required to form a government. Of the 120 lawmakers entering parliament, 67 recommended to Herzog that the mandate to form a government be given to Eisenkot.

Speaking after receiving the mandate, Eisenkot said, "Israel does not have the luxury of wasting time or repeating endless election cycles." Eisenkot noted that they must simultaneously manage ongoing wars on different fronts on one hand and a severe diplomatic crisis on the other, stating that while an overwhelming majority of parliament supports him, the 67 lawmakers have lost confidence in the outgoing government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot addressed members of the Likud and Religious Zionism parties, saying that if they truly believe this is a time for unity, "I cannot see any rational reason for them not to support a government under my leadership," expressing that their position was inconsistent. The statement referenced that 67 lawmakers directly support him and that the 7-seat United Torah Judaism Party did not propose any alternative name for prime minister.

President Herzog told Eisenkot, "I expect you to do everything in your power to form a government that will serve all our citizens." Yashar Party leader Eisenkot has a 28-day period for coalition negotiations; an additional 14 days may be granted if necessary.