Jerusalem, November 8, 2026

Israel has taken another significant step towards a possible change in political leadership after President Isaac Herzog formally handed opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form the country’s next government on Sunday.

The ceremony took place at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, giving Eisenkot the responsibility of negotiating with political parties and building a parliamentary coalition capable of securing enough support in the Knesset.

The development comes after Israel’s October 27 general election ended without a clear parliamentary majority, leaving both the opposition and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political alliance facing difficulties in forming a government.

Eisenkot, leader of the centrist Yashar party and a former chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), now has 28 days to complete the challenging political negotiations. He can also request an extension of up to 14 additional days.

Herzog Officially Transfers Government Formation Responsibility

President Isaac Herzog selected Eisenkot following consultations with representatives of political parties elected to Israel’s 120-member parliament.

During the presidential consultations, political factions representing 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot for the assignment. Netanyahu received recommendations from 46 lawmakers, while seven members of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party declined to endorse either candidate.

At Sunday’s ceremony, Herzog called on Eisenkot to work towards establishing a government capable of serving the entire Israeli population.

Eisenkot accepted the responsibility, acknowledging that the task would require difficult political negotiations and extraordinary efforts.

He described Israel as facing a critical period, pointing to continuing security challenges and a serious diplomatic crisis.

Eisenkot Faces a Difficult Parliamentary Challenge

Although Eisenkot received stronger support during the presidential consultations, securing the mandate does not automatically guarantee that he can establish a government.

Israel’s Knesset has 120 seats, meaning a coalition generally needs the support of at least 61 lawmakers to secure a parliamentary majority.

The election results left Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious alliance with 53 seats, while Eisenkot’s four-party opposition bloc secured 48 seats.

Arab-led political parties won a combined 19 seats, making their position particularly important in the upcoming negotiations.

However, cooperation with these parties remains controversial among several members of Eisenkot’s political alliance.

Netanyahu’s Political Future Remains Uncertain

The presidential decision represents a major political challenge for Benjamin Netanyahu, who has served as Israel’s prime minister for several years.

Despite his alliance remaining the largest political bloc in the Knesset, it failed to secure enough parliamentary support to form a majority government independently.

Netanyahu has called for a national unity government, arguing that Israel needs political stability during a difficult period.

However, disagreements between the rival political camps could make such an arrangement difficult to achieve.

If Eisenkot successfully forms a coalition, Israel could witness a major change in its political leadership. If negotiations fail, Netanyahu could receive another opportunity to form a government under the country’s constitutional procedures.

What Happens Next?

The next 28 days will be particularly important for Israel’s political future.

Eisenkot must negotiate with different political groups, address disagreements over military service exemptions and security policy, and secure enough parliamentary support to establish a functioning administration.

The question of whether Arab-led parties will support his government, either directly or from outside the coalition, could become one of the most important issues in the negotiations.

If Eisenkot cannot complete the process within the initial deadline, President Herzog may grant him an additional 14 days.

If his attempt ultimately fails, another candidate could receive the opportunity to form a government. Continued failure could eventually lead to another general election.

A Defining Moment for Israeli Politics

The formal transfer of the government formation mandate to Gadi Eisenkot marks an important moment in Israel’s post-election political transition.

While the presidential ceremony has given him the first opportunity to establish a new administration, the real test will be whether he can overcome political divisions and secure sufficient support in parliament.

For Netanyahu, the development creates fresh uncertainty about his political future. For Eisenkot, it offers an opportunity to turn electoral momentum into governing power.

Israel now enters a decisive period in which coalition negotiations could determine the country’s political direction for the coming years.