Netanyahu Suffers Setback As Israeli President Picks Opposition Leader To Form Government

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has nominated opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the country’s next government, dealing a major blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bid to remain in office after an inconclusive election.

Herzog announced the decision on Saturday after consulting political parties elected to the 120-member Knesset, Israel’s parliament.

Eisenkot, a former military chief and leader of the Yashar party, received the backing of 67 lawmakers during the consultations, while 46 supported Netanyahu.

The nomination gives Eisenkot the first opportunity to negotiate with other political parties and build a coalition capable of securing a parliamentary majority. However, his selection does not guarantee that he will succeed, as the election has left political groups deeply divided.

Under Israel’s political system, the president appoints a candidate to negotiate with other parties and gather enough support to form a government.

Eisenkot has 28 days to complete the negotiations, although he may request an additional 14 days.

Among his possible options are forming a minority government with support from Arab parties, negotiating an agreement with ultra-Orthodox groups or reaching a national unity arrangement with Netanyahu. However, each option faces significant political obstacles.

Eisenkot’s four-party, Jewish-led opposition alliance won 48 seats, while the 2 Arab-led parties secured 19. Although their combined seats would provide a parliamentary majority, Eisenkot has been reluctant to include the Arab parties in his government.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist bloc secured 53 seats, short of the 61 needed to control the 120-member parliament.

Netanyahu’s Likud party emerged as the largest single party with 27 seats, followed by Eisenkot’s Yashar party, which won 21.

Who Is Gadi Eisenkot?

Eisenkot, 66, served as Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) from 2015 to 2019 before entering politics in 2022.

He briefly served in Netanyahu’s wartime cabinet following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. He later joined the opposition and became increasingly critical of the prime minister, particularly over his handling of the military campaign in Gaza.

Eisenkot has ruled out serving in a government led by Netanyahu. He has also condemned violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Born to Moroccan immigrant parents, Eisenkot could become Israel’s first prime minister from the country’s Mizrahi Jewish community if he succeeds in forming a government.

The Gaza war has also taken a personal toll on his family, with his son and 2 nephews killed while fighting in the territory.

What Happens If Eisenkot Fails?

If Eisenkot cannot secure sufficient parliamentary support within the stipulated period, another candidate may be given the opportunity to form a government.

The process could continue for several weeks. If no candidate succeeds within the constitutional timeframe, Israel may have to conduct another election.

Herzog’s decision marks a significant setback for Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister. However, the outcome of the forthcoming coalition negotiations will determine whether Eisenkot can turn the support he received during the presidential consultations into a functioning government.