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Israeli President Appoints Gadi Eisenkot to Form New Government Amid Political Stalemate

Israel
The brief

In a significant political development, Israel's President Isaac Herzog has appointed Gadi Eisenkot, a prominent rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to attempt to form a new government. This decision comes in the wake of a deadlocked election held on October 27, which failed to provide a clear path to power for either leader. Netanyahu, who is Israel's longest-serving Prime Minister, saw his religious-nationalist coalition lose its majority, despite emerging as the largest bloc in the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

Eisenkot, who leads an anti-Netanyahu bloc, faces the challenging task of negotiating with various factions to secure a governing majority. The election results have left the political landscape fragmented, with neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot able to command a decisive coalition. As the political impasse continues, the complexity of forming a stable government in Israel remains a pressing issue, reflecting broader divisions within the electorate.S1S2

The outcome of this political maneuvering is crucial not only for the future of Netanyahu's leadership but also for the direction of Israeli policy in the coming months. The stakes are high, as the new government will need to address pressing domestic and international challenges while navigating a divided parliament. Eisenkot's ability to unite various factions will be closely scrutinized as he embarks on this pivotal task.S1S2

Timeline · newest first
1h BBC

Israel's president tasks opposition leader Eisenkot with forming government

Israel's president tasks opposition leader Eisenkot with forming governmentImage source, ReutersByNathan WilliamsPublished7 November 2026, 21:51 GMTUpdated 8 minutes agoIsrael's pr…

2h Shafaq News

Israeli President taps Eisenkot to form next government

Shafaq News- Middle East Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Saturday tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government, following parliamentary elections in wh…

2h Sbs

Israeli president asks Benjamin Netanyahu's rival, Gadi Eisenkot to form government

Weeks of protracted negotiations are expected to follow the president's announcement.

2h Data

Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to try to form government

Israel's president on Saturday chose Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, to try to form a new government following a deadlocked election that left n…

2h Theglobeandmail

Israeli president picks opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form government

Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s strongest rival, has 28 days to try to forge a government, with a possible 14-day extension

3h Al Monitor

Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to try to form government

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Israel's president on Saturday chose Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, to try to form a new government following a deadlocked el…

3h Washingtontimes

Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Saturday night that he was giving opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a governing coalition following elections on…

3h Smh · 2 reports

Israeli president asks Netanyahu rival Gadi Eisenkot to try to form government

Israel’s president has chosen Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strongest rival, to try to form a new government following a deadlocked election.

3h Lemonde

Israeli president tasks Eisenkot, Netanyahu's main opponent, with forming government

Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief who led the opposition to incumbent Prime Minsiter Benjamin Netanyahu in the elections, will have 28 days to form a government.

3h Al Monitor

Israel president taps Eisenkot to form new government

Israel's president announced on Saturday he would task Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government following last week's election, in what Netanyahu's rivals see as a first step…

3h Al Jazeera

Israel’s president picks Eisenkot over Netanyahu to form next government

President Isaac Herzog formally assigns Eisenkot 28 days to secure 61 Knesset seats and replace Netanyahu as PM.

3h Jpost

Yashar's Eisenkot to receive mandate to form new government, president announces

Yashar's Eisenkot to receive mandate to form new government, president announcesShould all attempts to form a government fail, the Knesset would be dissolved, and another election…

3h Thehindu

Israeli President picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to try to form government

Mr. Eisenkot, a former military chief, has declined to join forces with Arab parties, with whose support he ‌would have a majority of seats in parliament

3h Financial Times

Israel’s president gives Gadi Eisenkot first shot at forming a government

Isaac Herzog’s decision means opposition politician has 28 days to attempt to put together a ruling coalition

3h Npr

Israel's president taps opposition candidate, not Netanyahu, to form a government

Gadi Eisenkot ran as the main rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but neither won enough support to command a majority. Israel's main parties have recommended Eisenkot form…

3h Globalnews

Israel’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form government

Eisenkot, a former military chief, ran as the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leading a bloc of parties seeking to oust Israel’s longest-serving premier.

3h Skynews

Blow for Netanyahu as opposition rival asked to form government by Israel's president

Israel's president Isaac Herzog has asked Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, Gadi Eisenkot, to try and form a government following a deadlocked election.

3h Scmp

Israel’s president taps Eisenkot to form government, in setback for Netanyahu

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Saturday night that he was giving opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a governing coalition following elections…

3h Indiatoday

Israel President taps Netanyahu's rival Eisenkot to form government

Israel's political deadlock has taken a decisive turn after President Isaac Herzog chose opposition leader and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to try to form the country's next…

3h Deutsche Welle

Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot to form government: Statement

The anti-Netanyahu alliance led by former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked with forming a new government, with tricky coalition talks expected.

3h Deutsche Welle

Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot to form government

The anti-Netanyahu alliance led by former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked by President Isaac Herzog with forming a new government, with tricky coalition talks…

3h Deutsche Welle

Israeli president tasks Gadi Eisenkot with forming government

President Isaac Herzog has picked former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot, leader of an anti-Netanyahu alliance, to take the first shot at trying to form a government, with tri…

4h The Guardian

Israel’s president picks Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot to form government

Knesset has been deadlocked since the election last month when Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition lost its majorityIsrael’s president has ⁠chosen Gadi Eisenkot, prime minister Benjamin…

4h Toronto

Israel’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Saturday night that he was giving opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a governing coalition follow…

4h France 24

Israeli president picks Netanyahu's rival Eisenkot to try to form government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog picked former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to try to form a government, he said in a statement Saturday. Last month's parliamentary elections left ne…

4h Khaleej Times

Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's rival, to form government

Israel's president on Saturday chose Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, to try to form a new government, Israeli media reported, following a deadlo…

4h LBCI

Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to form government

Israel's president on Saturday chose Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's...

4h Click2houston

Israel’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu

Israeli President Isaac Herzog says he's giving opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a governing coalition following elections on Oct. 27.

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Israeli President Appoints Gadi Eisenkot to Form New Government Amid Political Stalemate

26 outlets 30 reports
The brief

In a significant political development, Israel's President Isaac Herzog has appointed Gadi Eisenkot, a prominent rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to attempt to form a new government. This decision comes in the wake of a deadlocked election held on October 27, which failed to provide a clear path to power for either leader. Netanyahu, who is Israel's longest-serving Prime Minister, saw his religious-nationalist coalition lose its majority, despite emerging as the largest bloc in the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

Eisenkot, who leads an anti-Netanyahu bloc, faces the challenging task of negotiating with various factions to secure a governing majority. The election results have left the political landscape fragmented, with neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot able to command a decisive coalition. As the political impasse continues, the complexity of forming a stable government in Israel remains a pressing issue, reflecting broader divisions within the electorate.S1S2

The outcome of this political maneuvering is crucial not only for the future of Netanyahu's leadership but also for the direction of Israeli policy in the coming months. The stakes are high, as the new government will need to address pressing domestic and international challenges while navigating a divided parliament. Eisenkot's ability to unite various factions will be closely scrutinized as he embarks on this pivotal task.S1S2

Timeline · newest first

Sources · 2 citations

S1 Khaleej Times 1 report · EN
S2 LBCI 1 report · EN
Deutsche WelleLead 3 reports · EN
Al Monitor 2 reports · EN
Smh 2 reports · EN
Click2houston 1 report · EN
France 24 1 report · EN
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