Herzog gives Gadi Eisenkot first chance to form Israel's next government after 27 October vote

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Saturday, 7 November, that he will give former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, the first opportunity to form the next government, per Breitbart, Fox News and Telangana Today. This piece is as of the evening of 8 November, before the formal presentation of the mandate was reported.

The recommendations

In consultations with the newly elected Knesset, 67 of the 120 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot and 46 recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while the seven members of United Torah Judaism declined to endorse either, according to Hindustan Times and Telangana Today. Telangana Today breaks Eisenkot's 67 down as 48 from the change bloc, seven from Ra'am and 12 from the Joint List. Fox News says the two Arab-led parties together hold 19 seats.

Why a majority is not assured

Sixty-one seats are needed for a majority. In the 27 October election Netanyahu's Likud won 27 seats, more than any other party, his wider bloc 53 and the four-party alliance seeking to replace him 48, per Breitbart and Fox News. Both outlets say the 67 recommendations do not equal a 67-seat coalition. Fox News reports that some of Eisenkot's prospective partners have ruled out depending on Arab parties to form a government. Hindustan Times says Eisenkot himself has ruled out joining hands with the Arab parties, whose leaders, it says, still recommended him; it reports that they oppose what they describe as the racist policies of Netanyahu and his far-right allies.

What happens next

The mandate was due to be formally presented on Sunday, 8 November, at 5 pm local time (8:30 pm IST), starting a 28-day period to form a government that the president can extend by up to 14 days (Breitbart, Hindustan Times). Netanyahu stays prime minister while talks continue, per Breitbart, and has called for a unity government, per Hindustan Times. If Eisenkot fails, Breitbart says Herzog could offer the chance to Netanyahu or another lawmaker.