Gadi Eisenko: Israel's President Isaac Herzog has asked opposition leader Gadi Eisenko to form a new government, which is a big blow to Benjamin Netanyahu. This decision of President Herzog has come at a time when the election results have not reached any clear conclusion, due to which a clear path to power has not been opened for anyone. At the same time, after President Herzog handed over this responsibility to him instead of the current Prime Minister, on Saturday (November 07, 2026) Gadi Eisenkot pledged to help form the new government.
On Friday, the leader of the centrist Yeshar Party said Israel is currently living through a real, clear and dangerous emergency. He claimed that Netanyahu's government has become a fundamental threat to the existence of Israeli democracy.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, is trying to save his position. His religious-nationalist coalition lost its majority in the October 27 elections, but still emerged as the largest faction in parliament.
Former army chief Gadi Eysenkot has refused to form a coalition with Arab parties, even though their support could have given him a majority in parliament. At the same time, Arab leaders (who consider the policies of Netanyahu and his far-right allies racist and are angry at them) nevertheless nominated Eisenkot first to form a government and gave him the most support.
President Isaac Herzog's spokesperson said that President Herzog has called Gadi Eisenkot to the presidential residence, where he has been entrusted with the responsibility of forming the government. The role of the President is mainly ceremonial, consisting of nominating a candidate to form a coalition government after the elections. Eisenkot's nomination is expected to be followed by weeks of lengthy negotiations. They have 28 days to try to form a government, which can be extended by another 14 days if needed.
Doubt over support from Arab parties
Their possible paths to power include these options. Forming a minority government with the votes of Arab parties on key issues, forming a coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties (from whom he and his allies had previously distanced themselves), or forming a 'unity government' with Netanyahu.
Analysts believe that the chances of these three options being fulfilled are low. If Eisenkot fails, another candidate can try to form a government, and if he also fails, Parliament can nominate someone else.
Eisenkot got great success
There is a time limit of about 100 days for this entire process. If no one is successful, re-elections are held. In the 120-seat Knesset (parliament), the Likud party won 27 seats, the most of any single party, but Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition could get only 53 seats, which was less than the 61 seats required for a majority.
Eysenkot's 'Yeshar' party emerged as the second largest party with 21 seats, while his coalition, which included four Jewish parties with ideologies ranging from centre-left to right, got only 48 seats.
Who is Gadi Eisenkot?
Gadi Eisencott was a major general of Israel. He is currently the leader of Israel's opposition party 'Yashar'. He has been the 21st Chief of Staff (Military Chief) of the Israel Defense Forces. He worked on this post from 2015 to 2019. In June 2024, he resigned, alleging that Netanyahu was giving priority to politics over strategic decisions in the war.
Son was killed in Hamas attack
During the Gaza War, Eizenkot's youngest son (Gal Eizenkot) and two nephews were killed in Gaza while fighting for the IDF. In such a situation, there is a lot of sympathy and respect for him among the Israeli people.
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