Netanyahu Ousted: Gadi Eisenkot Tasked to Form Next Israeli Government
President Isaac Herzog chooses Gadi Eisenkot over Benjamin Netanyahu to form Israel's next government after parliamentary consultations.
In a seismic shift in Israeli politics, President Isaac Herzog has formally tasked Gadi Eisenkot, the chairman of the Yashar party and a former military chief, with the responsibility of forming the next government. This decision marks a significant blow to incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as a clear majority of Knesset lawmakers have thrown their weight behind Eisenkot following the recent elections.
A Decisive Parliamentary Shift
The decision came after President Herzog conducted extensive consultations with representatives from all political factions within the 120-seat Knesset. These deliberations included direct meetings with both Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot to assess who could realistically command a working majority.
The numbers tell a stark story of Netanyahu's waning support. According to an official statement from the Office of the President released on X, the consultation tally revealed that factions representing 67 Members of the Knesset (MKs) recommended Eisenkot. This comfortably surpasses the 61-seat threshold required for a majority in the parliament.
In contrast, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received the endorsement of only 46 Knesset members. An additional seven members chose to remain neutral, refusing to recommend any candidate.
The Coalition Math: Who Backs Eisenkot?
Eisenkot’s path to power was paved by a diverse coalition of support, including both Jewish-led opposition groups and Arab parties. The 67-seat backing consists of:
- Jewish-led opposition bloc: 48 seats (comprising Yashar, Together, The Democrats, and Yisrael Beiteinu).
- The Ra'am party: 8 seats.
- The Joint List: 11 seats (the Arab-led bloc announced a unanimous decision to support Eisenkot).
The Fracture in Netanyahu's Alliance
The blow to Netanyahu was compounded by a betrayal from within his traditional orbit. While his right-wing bloc initially held 53 seats, his support dropped to 46 because the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party withheld its endorsement. By choosing to abstain with their 7 seats, the UTJ has created a major fracture in its long-standing alliance with the Likud chairman.
The Road Ahead for Gadi Eisenkot
The former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is now entering a critical period of political negotiation. Following the mandate-conferral ceremony scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at the President's Residence, Eisenkot will have a statutory window of up to six weeks to:
- Negotiate with prospective allies.
- Stitch together a viable coalition agreement.
- Secure formal parliamentary approval to be sworn in as Prime Minister.
A Vision for Emergency Governance
Eisenkot has already signaled his intention to move away from Netanyahu's leadership, rejecting the idea of the current PM remaining as a caretaker leader during wartime. To replace the current administration, Eisenkot has outlined a four-pillar framework for an emergency government, which includes:
- The recognition of Israel as both a Jewish and democratic state.
- The upholding of the Declaration of Independence.
- The implementation of mandates for universal national and military service.
"President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog has decided to task the chairman of the Yashar party, Gadi Eisenkot, with forming the government," the President's office confirmed, noting that the decision followed in-depth conversations with various figures in the political system.