Israel’s president picks Eisenkot over Netanyahu to form next government

Former army chief has 28 days to build a coalition that would end Netanyahu’s long tenure as prime minister.Published On 7 Nov 20267 Nov 2026Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked former army chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country’s next government, passing over his rival Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Herzog communicated his decision to Eisenkot on Saturday evening and will formally hand him the mandate at a ceremony on Sunday, a statement from the president’s spokesperson said.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Jerusalem Daily: Arab parties back Eisenkot against Netanyahulist 2 of 3Palestinian citizens of Israel put to ‘loyalty test’ after election winslist 3 of 3President Herzog faces key choice as Israel struggles to form governmentend of listThis comes after Herzog held consultations with all political parties this week, to decide who he would grant the chance to form a government after neither side secured a majority in the October 27 general election.Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, was recommended by parties representing 67 lawmakers as opposed to 46 for Netanyahu’s bloc, the statement said.Eisenkot will have 28 days – with a possible 14-day exte...