In brief
President Isaac Herzog has given Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot a 28‑day mandate to build a governing coalition. Eisenkot boasts support from 48 opposition lawmakers and 19 Arab representatives, but faces challenges from ultra‑Orthodox parties. If he fails, Herzog may appoint another candidate or call for fresh elections.
On Saturday, November 7, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot would be tasked with forming a new coalition government, a decision made after consultations with each of the political parties represented in the Knesset.
Process of the Mandate
According to a statement from the Office of the President, Eisenkot will receive the formal mandate at Herzog’s residence on Sunday at 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT). The mandate grants him 28 days to assemble a majority, after which he may request an additional 14‑day extension from the president. If Eisenkot is unable to secure a coalition, Herzog could appoint another candidate, or the national legislature could be dissolved, prompting a new election.
"This is the time to establish a national emergency government. I will do anything possible to prove us worthy," Eisenkot said on the social media platform X following the announcement.
Eisenkot’s initial parliamentary recommendations show backing from 48 members of four opposition bloc parties and an additional 19 representatives of Arab-led parties. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was supported by 46 lawmakers, while seven members of the ultra‑Orthodox United Torah Judaism party declined to endorse either candidate.
Analysts interpret these numbers as a significant hurdle: while Eisenkot has the most recommendations, rising to a total of 67, he must still reach a 61‑seat majority. Disagreements within the opposition over cooperation with Arab parties and the refusal of two ultra‑Orthodox parties, who collectively hold 13 seats, make coalition building complex.
Earlier that Saturday, Netanyahu publicly called for a national unity coalition, warning that a government relying on Arab parties would threaten Israel’s security. He accused Arab lawmakers of seeking the “destruction of Israel” and stated that a unity government should include all parties currently in the governing coalition and “all the Zionist parties that want to protect our country.”
Protests erupted at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, where demonstrators demanded unity through “cooperation between Jewish and Arab parties.” These rallies underscored the societal pressure on the emerging government to address both security concerns and demographic representation.
If Eisenkot fails to achieve a coalition within the allotted period, Herzog may either hand the task to a different figure or dismiss the Knesset, leading to fresh elections. Whether the new coalition can bridge the divides remains to be seen, but the next 28 days will be crucial for shaping Israel’s political future.
