Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog intends to task Gadi Eizenkot, leader of the ‘Yashad’ party, with forming a government. The mandate will be officially handed over on 8 November at the presidential residence in Jerusalem. Eizenkot has received the support of 67 politicians, whilst incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been endorsed by 46 people, according to the Times of Israel.
Eizenkot represents a bloc opposed to the ruling Likud party and its leader, Netanyahu. In the Knesset elections, this bloc won 48 seats, falling only slightly short of the Prime Minister’s bloc. Herzog reached his decision following consultations with party leaders and other politicians regarding whom they would like to see as head of government.
Eizenkot will have 28 days to form a cabinet. The President may extend this period by a maximum of 14 days. If the attempt is unsuccessful, the mandate will be passed on to another politician — most likely Netanyahu. If he, too, is unable to form a government, Herzog will dissolve the Knesset and call new elections.
Receiving the mandate does not mean that Eisenkot will automatically become prime minister. A majority in the Knesset requires 61 votes, and no single political bloc has secured this. For the first time, Arab parties have won 19 seats, and their support could prove crucial to forming a government.
The election notice specifies two dates: 27 September – when the distribution of seats is announced – and 27 October, when it is announced that no single party has secured a majority. The vote was also seen as a referendum on the policies of Netanyahu and his far-right coalition.
Netanyahu’s critics hold him responsible for the failures that allowed Hamas – a group designated as a terrorist organisation by the US and the EU – to carry out a deadly attack on 7 October 2023. The government’s policies have deepened divisions within Israel and the country’s international isolation, writes Reuters. Netanyahu himself presents himself as the only leader resolute enough to stand up to the state’s enemies.
The original version of this article first appeared on Glob-News.com.