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Israel: Opposition leader has chance to form government and replace Netanyahu

Gadi Eisenkot, from the Yashar party, has 28 days to form a coalition with the support of at least 61 of the 120 deputies

Quick Look

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot received a mandate from President Herzog to form a new government and attempt to replace Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister.
It has 28 days, extendable for another 14, to guarantee the support of at least 61 of the 120 deputies.
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery and would lose parliamentary immunity if he leaves office.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The October 27 Israeli elections did not have a clear winner. President Herzog appointed the opposition leader to form a government based on 67 recommendations to Netanyahu's 46. Israel is parliamentary and the president has a mainly ceremonial function, but appoints the head of the government.

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In Israel, the opposition leader was tasked with forming a new government with a parliamentary coalition. If he succeeds, he could remove Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister.

The decision was announced after Israeli elections on October 27 ended without a clear winner.

Now, Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, which opposes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will take on the responsibility of forming a coalition.

If the current prime minister leaves office, he will lose parliamentary immunity and could be investigated for corruption.

Netanyahu faces accusations of fraud, breach of trust and bribery related to receiving gifts and allegedly negotiating favors in exchange for favorable press coverage.

Israel is parliamentary. The president has a mainly ceremonial role, but he is the one who appoints the head of the government, taking into account the results of the polls.

Israeli media reported that President Herzog received 67 recommendations to name the opposition leader. Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly received 46 nominations.

Starting tomorrow, Eisenkot will have 28 days, extendable for another 14, to form the new coalition.

During this period, Eisenkot will have to close alliances to have the support of at least 61 of the 120 seats in Congress. The task will not be easy.

Eisenkot's Yashar alone managed to win just 21 seats. Netanyahu's Likud won a little more: 27 seats.

The key to victory may be a previously unlikely coalition with the Arabs, who have seen a record 19 elected parliamentarians.

Regardless of the future of the Israeli government, the new prime minister will already start with a major challenge: the cut in American financial support for the Israeli military.

On election day for the US Congress, President Donald Trump announced that he would cut annual aid of US$4 billion to Israel.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Eisenkot will try to form a coalition with the support of Arab parties in the next 28 days
Possible · Within weeks
Netanyahu will lose parliamentary immunity and could be investigated for corruption if he leaves office
Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

Which parties will support Eisenkot in the coalition?
Will Arab parties support the new government?
Will the cut in American aid be maintained regardless of who forms the government?
Will Netanyahu voluntarily step down if he loses his majority?

Israel: Opposition leader has chance to form government and replace Netanyahu

Gadi Eisenkot, from the Yashar party, has 28 days to form a coalition with the support of at least 61 of the 120 deputies

Quick Look

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot received a mandate from President Herzog to form a new government and attempt to replace Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister.
It has 28 days, extendable for another 14, to guarantee the support of at least 61 of the 120 deputies.
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery and would lose parliamentary immunity if he leaves office.