Middle East: Netanyahu rival Eisenkot appointed to form government in Israel
After the parliamentary election, the former chief of general staff received the most recommendations for the office of head of government.
Quick Look
- President Izchak Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government.
- Although Eisenkot's Yashar party trails Likud, the ex-military chief received the most endorsements from MPs.
- However, a stable majority remains uncertain.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In the parliamentary elections on October 27th, Netanyahu's previous government alliance lost its majority. To form a government in the Knesset, 61 of 120 seats are required.
Tel Aviv. Israeli President Izchak Herzog has officially given the opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot the order to form a new government. Eisenkot's centrist Jashar party trailed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing conservative Likud party in the most recent parliamentary election, but the ex-military chief received the most recommendations in consultations with all parties to form a government.
During consultations with the political groups, 67 of the 120 designated MPs voted for Eisenkot as head of government. 46 MPs voted for the incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A seven-seat faction, the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism, made no recommendation.
Eisenkot, a former chief of general staff, is Netanyahu's fiercest political rival. In the parliamentary elections on October 27th, his previous government alliance lost its majority. Netanyahu's camp will have 53 seats, Eisenkot's opposition alliance will have 48. 61 of the 120 seats are required for a majority in the Knesset.
The support of the two Arab parties, which together hold 19 seats, gives Eisenkot the most recommendations, but does not mean a governing majority. A coalition with them is considered unlikely due to significant differences in security policy. It would be conceivable to have a minority government supported by Arab members of Parliament from outside.
Open Questions
- Can Eisenkot form a stable coalition?
- Will a minority government be implemented with external support from the Arab parties?
