Israeli President Herzog picks Gadi Eisenkot for first attempt to form government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has chosen Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, for the first attempt to form a new government, Herzog's office announced on Saturday, 7 November 2026. According to Herzog's office, Eisenkot was informed of the president's "intention to task him with forming a government". France 24 quoted a spokesperson for Herzog as saying: "President Herzog has invited Gadi Eisenkot to the President’s Residence, where he will be tasked with forming the government tomorrow". The formal tasking is set for Sunday at the President's Residence in Jerusalem.

In the 27 October 2026 election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist camp won 53 of the Knesset's 120 seats and Eisenkot's opposition bloc won 48, according to The Guardian, DW, France 24 and The Hindu. Neither reached the 61 seats needed for a majority. Leaders of both Arab-majority lists recommended Eisenkot. DW reported that Netanyahu ruled out working with Arab parties.

Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, and the president can extend this by 14 days. If he fails, another candidate can be given the chance. If no candidate succeeds, Israel will hold a new election. Eisenkot, 66, is a former chief of the Israeli military. According to France 24 and The Hindu, he has vowed not to serve in a government with Netanyahu. If he succeeds, he would replace Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister.

What is not yet known: It remains unclear whether Eisenkot's bloc would accept support from the Arab lists, The Guardian reported. France 24 and The Hindu said the bloc has declined to join forces with the Arab parties, but both listed a minority government with outside Arab support as a possible route. Analysts cited by the two outlets said all of Eisenkot's possible routes to a government are unlikely to materialise.

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