Israeli President Isaac Herzog has given Gadi Eisenkot government mandate to form Israel’s next administration following consultations with political parties, opening negotiations over the country’s next governing coalition.
Herzog announced his decision on Saturday evening, placing the leader of the Yashar party and former Israeli military chief at the centre of efforts to establish a new administration.
The announcement followed consultations with political parties represented in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, during which lawmakers submitted recommendations identifying their preferred candidate to form the next government.
According to a statement from the President’s Office, Herzog invited Eisenkot to the President’s Residence on Sunday at 5 p.m. to formally receive the mandate and begin negotiations.
The decision gives Eisenkot an opportunity to assemble a parliamentary majority, although disagreements among the parties supporting his candidacy could complicate his efforts.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also sought the mandate, received fewer recommendations, adding another dimension to the political developments surrounding the formation of Israel’s next administration.
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Eisenkot secures 67 recommendations from lawmakers
The consultations produced a numerical advantage for Eisenkot, whose candidacy received support from opposition parties and representatives of Arab-led political groups.
According to the recommendations submitted to Herzog, 48 lawmakers from four opposition-bloc parties endorsed Eisenkot for the government formation assignment.
Another 19 representatives from Arab-led parties also supported his candidacy, bringing his total recommendations to 67 members of the 120-seat Knesset.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, received recommendations from 46 lawmakers, placing him behind Eisenkot in the consultations conducted by the Israeli president.
The seven representatives of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party declined to endorse either candidate, leaving their political position uncertain ahead of coalition negotiations.
Although Eisenkot received more recommendations, the outcome does not automatically guarantee that he can establish a functioning administration.
Under Israel’s parliamentary system, a prospective government must command the support of at least 61 members of the Knesset to secure a governing majority.
The Gadi Eisenkot government mandate therefore represents an important opportunity to negotiate a new administration, rather than an automatic confirmation that Netanyahu will leave office.
Eisenkot must now persuade different political groups to cooperate despite disagreements over national policy, ideological differences and the participation of Arab-led parties in government.
Eisenkot promises to establish a national emergency government
Following Herzog’s announcement, Eisenkot declared his intention to pursue a national emergency government, suggesting that his proposed administration would prioritise national interests and political cooperation.
The Yashar party leader communicated his position through a statement published on the social media platform X shortly after the announcement.
“This is the time to establish a national emergency government. I will do anything possible to prove us worthy,” Eisenkot said.
His declaration suggests that he intends to pursue an arrangement extending beyond the parties that recommended him during the presidential consultations.
A national emergency administration could provide an opportunity to bring together political groups that disagree on several issues but may be willing to cooperate on common national priorities.
However, achieving that objective will require difficult negotiations, particularly because some opposition parties remain divided over cooperation with Arab-led political groups.
Those disagreements could undermine efforts to transform the 67 recommendations Eisenkot received into a stable parliamentary coalition.
The former military chief must also consider the positions of ultra-Orthodox political groups, whose parliamentary representation could become important during negotiations.
His immediate challenge is to reconcile competing interests while securing enough support to establish an administration capable of commanding parliamentary confidence.
Israeli law gives Eisenkot 28 days to form a government
Under Israeli law, Eisenkot will have 28 days after formally receiving the presidential mandate to negotiate with political parties and assemble a governing coalition.
The legislation also allows him to request an additional 14 days from Herzog if he needs more time to complete negotiations and secure sufficient parliamentary backing.
This arrangement gives the opposition leader a defined period to reconcile competing political interests and demonstrate that his proposed administration can command the support of the Knesset.
If Eisenkot fails to establish a government within the permitted period, Herzog may assign the responsibility to another candidate under the country’s constitutional arrangements.
Alternatively, at least 61 members of the 120-seat parliament can approach the president and request that the mandate be entrusted to a candidate of their collective choice.
This provision offers another opportunity for lawmakers to identify an individual capable of securing the necessary parliamentary support.
However, if these efforts also fail, the Knesset will be dissolved, forcing Israel to conduct fresh elections.
Such an outcome could prolong political uncertainty and require political parties to return to voters before another administration can be established.
The Gadi Eisenkot government mandate consequently carries considerable political significance, as its outcome could determine whether Israel experiences a change of administration or another electoral contest.
Arab parties present complications for coalition negotiations
One of the biggest obstacles confronting Eisenkot is disagreement within the opposition over cooperation with Arab-led political parties.
Their 19 recommendations played a significant role in giving him the numerical advantage over Netanyahu during the presidential consultations.
However, some opposition politicians remain uncomfortable with depending on Arab parties to establish a governing coalition, creating uncertainty about whether their support can be maintained throughout negotiations.
The disagreement is particularly important because Eisenkot may need their continued backing to secure the parliamentary majority required to govern.
He must therefore determine how to accommodate their political interests without alienating opposition parties whose participation is also necessary for establishing a stable administration.
The ultra-Orthodox parties represent another important consideration in the unfolding negotiations.
United Torah Judaism’s seven lawmakers declined to endorse either candidate, while the two ultra-Orthodox parties collectively control 13 seats in parliament.
Their positions could become important if Eisenkot needs additional support or if disagreements within his opposition bloc prevent him from securing a dependable majority.
The negotiations will consequently require political compromises, especially if individual parties demand specific policy commitments or concessions before supporting his proposed administration.
Netanyahu calls for a national unity government
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has responded to the political developments by renewing his call for a national unity government involving parties that share his preferred political and national security positions.
Earlier on Saturday, the prime minister warned against establishing an administration dependent on support from Arab political parties.
Netanyahu accused the Arab parties of seeking Israel’s destruction, an allegation that further highlighted the political divisions surrounding the country’s government formation process.
He also argued that a national unity government should incorporate parties currently represented in his governing coalition alongside other political groups.
Explaining his preferred arrangement, Netanyahu said the government should include “all the Zionist parties that want to protect our country.”
His proposal reflects an attempt to encourage cooperation among political parties that share his position on Israel’s national interests and security.
However, the appeal comes after Eisenkot received considerably more parliamentary recommendations, placing the opposition leader in a different position during the current government formation process.
Netanyahu’s statement also highlights the fundamental disagreement between the two political camps over whether Arab-led parties should participate in determining the composition of Israel’s next administration.
Eisenkot faces decisive coalition negotiations
The coming weeks will determine whether Eisenkot can convert his advantage during the presidential consultations into a functioning government capable of commanding parliamentary confidence.
His immediate priorities will include negotiating with opposition parties, addressing disagreements over Arab political participation and exploring possible arrangements with lawmakers outside his existing political bloc.
The success of the Gadi Eisenkot government mandate will depend on securing the support of at least 61 members of the Knesset while maintaining cooperation among parties with different political interests.
For Netanyahu, the challenge will be preventing the opposition from consolidating sufficient parliamentary support to replace his administration.
If Eisenkot succeeds, Israel could witness the emergence of a new government led by a former military chief who has promised to pursue a national emergency administration.
If he fails, Herzog could appoint another candidate, or the country could face the dissolution of parliament and another general election.
For now, the responsibility rests with Eisenkot, whose negotiations will determine whether the presidential decision produces a new administration or another round of political uncertainty.
The developments surrounding Herzog’s announcement have opened another important chapter in Israeli politics, with coalition negotiations set to determine the composition and direction of the country’s next government.
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