Gadi Eisenkot Tasked to Form New Israel Government

Sunday, 8 November 2026 | Web Desk

JERUSALEM – Israeli President Isaac Herzog has invited former military chief and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a new government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to secure a ruling majority following the October 27 elections.

According to Israeli media, President Herzog will formally task Eisenkot with forming the government on Sunday evening, giving him 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension.

The move comes after Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist bloc secured only 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, falling short of the 61-seat majority required to govern. Eisenkot’s opposition bloc, consisting of four centre-left to right-wing Jewish-led parties, won 48 seats, while Arab parties won an unprecedented 19 seats.

Netanyahu Rejects Unity Government, Warns of Civil War

Netanyahu has rejected calls for a unity government under Eisenkot’s leadership, instead demanding a national emergency government that includes all parties from his current coalition alongside “all Zionist parties”.

In a video statement, Netanyahu warned that a government reliant on Arab party support would not fight Hamas or protect Israeli soldiers in Gaza and Lebanon.

“A government that depends on Hamas supporters will not fight Hamas,” Netanyahu said, adding that with such a government, “Israel simply will not survive”.

He also raised the spectre of civil unrest, claiming that the riots seen in European cities in recent weeks could erupt in Israel if a government backed by Arab parties is formed.

Eisenkot’s Yashar party dismissed Netanyahu’s appeal as a “hysterical speech” and a “pathetic political maneuver,” stating that Netanyahu only speaks of unity because he realizes his days in office are numbered.

What’s Next?

Eisenkot now faces the difficult task of forging a 61-seat majority. His potential pathways include forming a minority government with outside Arab support, allying with ultra-Orthodox parties he has previously shunned, or building a unity government with Likud — though all options are considered unlikely by analysts.

If Eisenkot fails, President Herzog may task another candidate, or the Knesset could dissolve and trigger new elections.

Gadi Eisenkot tasked with forming Israel’s new government

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of Israel’s Yashar party and former military chief, being tasked by President Isaac Herzog to form a new government