Susanna Riva Israeli President Isaac Herzog has concluded the post-election consultations of October 27 and has decided to entrust Gadi Eisenkot, former Chief of Staff and leader of Yashar, with the task of building a new majority in the Knesset . The appointment will be formally handed over tomorrow at 5:00 PM in the Presidency building, marking a turning point in the complex political dance that has characterized the first months of the seventh parliamentary term.
Under Israeli law, Eisenkot has 28 days to conclude negotiations, with the possibility of requesting an extension of an additional 14 days . The mandate comes against the backdrop of an impassioned appeal from outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has insisted on a national unity government capable of including all Zionist parties and defending the Jewish state.
Herzog gives Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form the government
In his inaugural speech, Herzog emphasized that Eisenkot's choice was " the will of the people, and that is what we need right now ." He also emphasized that a cabinet dependent on Hamas supporters could not effectively combat Hamas, and that supporting anti-Semitic groups would jeopardize the identity of the Jewish state.
This statement highlights the tension between the call for national unity and the reality of party blocs.
Timing, possible extensions and legal obligations
The 28-day deadline is designed to avoid a prolonged power vacuum; however, recent history shows that extensions have been used repeatedly when negotiations stall. If Eisenkot were to request the additional 14 days, the president retains the right to grant or refuse the extension, depending on the progress of the negotiations. Failure to reach an agreement within the deadline would result in Netanyahu's mandate being returned, reactivating the process of selecting the most voted leader.
Alliances in the balance: those who support Eisenkot and those who prefer Netanyahu
During the consultations, representatives of six lists elected on October 27, which control 67 of the 120 seats, expressed a preference for Eisenkot. Conversely, the leaders of four lists, corresponding to 46 parliamentarians , supported Netanyahu. The divergence reflects a rift not only between the right-wing and center-right factions, but also among those who see Arab parties as a potential entry into the coalition.
Knesset numbers: 67 seats for Eisenkot, 46 for Netanyahu
The seat tally clearly shows Eisenkot's initial advantage: with the support of all Arab parties—Ra'am (8 seats) and the Joint List (11 seats)—his tally would rise to 86, nearly double Netanyahu's result. However, these agreements are hampered by internal veto votes and ideological positions that draw rigid boundaries, especially between the religious parties and the leaders of Yisrael Beitenu.
Possible scenarios and political obstacles
Analysts, including Professor Sergio Della Pergola, have identified five plausible paths. The simplest—a 61-seat majority including the Arab party Ra'am—has been dismissed by Netanyahu, who declared that "a government dependent on Hamas supporters will not survive ." Ra'am's presence, in fact, is considered a disruptive factor for the more conservative wing of the Likud.
Option of absolute majority with the Arab parties
If Eisenkot were to convince both Ra'am and the Joint List to support his government, he would win 67 seats , far exceeding the 61 threshold needed for an absolute majority. The difficulty lies in overcoming veto votes from leaders like Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionism) and ultra-Orthodox groups who have already announced their abstention or opposition.
Minority government and the role of Lieberman and ultra-Orthodox groups
A more realistic alternative is a minority coalition. Starting with Eisenkot's 48 seats , another 13 are enough to achieve a simple majority. A union with Ahmad Tibi's party (Joint List) or Avigdor Lieberman's party (Yisrael Beitenu) could produce a stable government, but both parties have expressed hesitation: "Neither Bibi nor Tibi," proclaimed Lieberman. At the same time, the seven members of United Torah Judaism have declared they will not nominate a prime minister, leaving open the possibility of an abstention that would lessen Netanyahu's weight in the Knesset speakership.
Risks of a new vote and its impact on the internal landscape
If negotiations fail, the next likely scenario is new elections this spring. For Netanyahu, this could lead to a consolidation of right-wing votes, as many center-right voters might return to the Likud to avoid further fragmentation. Conversely, a new round of elections would risk reducing Arab participation, especially if they perceived their votes as not translating into real power.
In any case, the next few weeks will be crucial: the Knesset will convene on November 10th to swear in new members and elect the Speaker of the Knesset. The outcome of these initial actions will inevitably influence Eisenkot's ability to form a government or, conversely, push Netanyahu back to the center of the political scene.