Israeli President Isaac Herzog designated opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot on November 7, 2026 to form a new government after securing 67 recommendations in the 120-seat Knesset. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc lost its majority, securing 53 seats, though his Likud party won 27. Eisenkot faces 28 days to build a coalition, reliant on 19 Arab-led party endorsements while navigating intense opposition from right-wing allies over Arab participation and ultra-Orthodox military draft exemptions.
Eisenkot government mandate
- ▪Gadi Eisenkot secured recommendations from 67 members of the 120-seat Knesset, whereas Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received 46 recommendations
- ▪Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced on November 7, 2026 that he will task Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's next governing coalition
- ▪Gadi Eisenkot aims to establish a national emergency minority government comprising Yashar, Together, Yisrael Beiteinu, and The Democrats
- ▪Gadi Eisenkot's four-party Jewish opposition bloc secured 48 Knesset seats in the October 27, 2026 election, including 21 seats won by his Yashar party
- ▪Gadi Eisenkot set four coalition principles including recognizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, universal military or national service, and recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization
Arab party kingmaker role
- ▪Political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin said the Islamist Ra'am party, holding eight Knesset seats, expressed willingness to join an anti-Netanyahu governing coalition
- ▪Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen stated on November 5, 2026 that the alliance will demand an end to race-baiting, increased funding, and a fight against organized crime in Arab-dominated areas
- ▪Two Arab-led parties holding a combined 19 seats in the Knesset backed Gadi Eisenkot's mandate to form a government to prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from remaining prime minister
- ▪The Joint List, holding 11 Knesset seats, declared it will not join any incoming administration but will support Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc from the outside
Coalition formation obstacles
- ▪Reaching an agreement with ultra-Orthodox parties requires resolving contentious negotiations over military service exemptions for seminary students
- ▪At least three parties within Gadi Eisenkot's four-party opposition bloc oppose forming a government with Arab-led parties
- ▪Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman rejected participating in any government that relies on Arab-led political parties
- ▪Avigdor Liberman proposed assembling a 61-seat coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism without Arab-led party participation
Netanyahu political setback
- ▪Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement on November 7, 2026 calling for a national unity government among all Zionist parties and opposing a minority government supported by Arab parties
- ▪United Torah Judaism declined to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister during President Isaac Herzog's coalition consultations
- ▪Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party won 27 seats in the October 27, 2026 election, while his broader right-wing coalition won 53 seats, falling short of a 61-seat majority
- ▪The United States announced plans in early November 2026 to cut roughly $4 billion in annual military aid to Israel ahead of the 2028 agreement expiration
Israeli coalition process rules
- ▪If two presidential nominees fail to form a government, 61 Knesset members may request the mandate for a chosen lawmaker, failing which parliament dissolves for new elections
- ▪If a primary candidate fails to form a coalition, the Israeli president can assign the task to a second candidate for 28 days without an extension option
- ▪Under Israeli Basic Law, a candidate selected by the president receives 28 days to form a government, with a potential extension of up to 14 days
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