Israeli President Isaac Herzog has dealt a political blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, formally inviting opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to attempt forming Israel’s next government following weeks of post-election deadlock.
Coalition Math Remains Daunting
The decision gives Eisenkot, a former military chief who leads the centrist Yashar party, first crack at assembling a governing coalition. But the path to a majority remains narrow β his four-party “change bloc” holds just 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Netanyahu’s outgoing coalition controls 53. Neither faction reaches the 61 needed to govern outright.
Eisenkot secured recommendations from 67 lawmakers during Herzog’s consultations, including the crucial backing of Arab parties Ra’am and the Joint List. But that support comes with complications β neither Arab faction has committed to joining his government, and their involvement has become a flashpoint in negotiations.
Netanyahu Sounds Alarm Over Arab Backing
Netanyahu immediately framed Eisenkot’s potential reliance on Arab parties as a national security threat. “A government dependent on terror supporters will not fight terror,” the prime minister warned in a video statement, accusing the Arab lawmakers of holding positions incompatible with Israel’s security interests.
The Likud leader instead pushed for a “national unity government” incorporating his existing allies and other Zionist parties, arguing the country’s security challenges demanded broader cooperation. “With such a government, Israel simply will not survive,” he said of Eisenkot’s potential coalition.
Eisenkot’s Conditions and Challenges
Eisenkot has set strict conditions for potential partners, including recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization and supporting mandatory national service. But those demands may conflict with the positions of the Arab parties whose support he needs.
Complicating matters further, some members of Eisenkot’s own bloc campaigned against governing with either Arab or ultra-Orthodox parties β the very groups whose cooperation may now prove essential. Avigdor Liberman of Yisrael Beytenu has already ruled out supporting a minority government dependent on Arab party abstentions.
What Comes Next
Eisenkot now has 28 days to form a government, a period Herzog can extend by two weeks. If he fails, Netanyahu could get another chance β or Israel may face yet another election in its prolonged political stalemate.
For now, Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister. But Herzog’s decision marks the first concrete step toward potentially ending his record-long tenure, even as the coalition math ensures nothing will come easily.
Source: www.breitbart.com β https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/11/07/israeli-president-herzog-tasks-eisenkot-with-forming-government-in-setback-for-netanyahu/