Middle East: Netanyahu rival Eisenkot appointed to form government in Israel

Tel Aviv. Israel's President Isaac Herzog wants to commission the opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot to form a new government. Herzog informed the chairman of the Yashar party about his decision on Saturday evening, the presidential office said. The official handover of the order is scheduled for Sunday at 5:00 p.m. local time at the presidential residence in Jerusalem.

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 automatically mean a government 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.

On Saturday, Netanyahu called on the opposition parties to form a government of national unity. In addition to his Likud party, this should also include the ultra-Orthodox parties and the two right-wing extremist parties in his previous coalition. He warned against a government that would be dependent on the support of Arab parties.

Eisenkot immediately rejected the proposal. Netanyahu only speaks of unity because he realizes that his time as prime minister is running out, Yashar said in a statement. The outgoing head of government divided Israeli society and repeatedly undermined agreements with political partners.

A government led by Eisenkot would only include parties and MPs that support four principles he established. These included recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization and committing to dismantling its military capabilities and rule in the Gaza Strip. If the Likud is interested in a unity government, it must publicly end its alliance with the right-wing extremist parties and commit to these principles.