What’s next for Israel as Eisenkot tapped to lead government?

Israeli President Isaac Herzog gave opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form the next government on Sunday evening. After the formal announcement, Eisenkot, who ran as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival, now has to launch complicated negotiations with potential coalition partners. He has six weeks to form a government.At the ceremony in Jerusalem, Eisenkot said he wanted a leadership that people can trust, that will act in the interests of the public and that represents all parts of society.The Oct. 27 election gave neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor Eisenkot a clear majority in parliament. Among the kingmakers — and most politically fraught potential allies — are the Arab-led parties. They made historic gains in the election and have been a target of Netanyahu and his allies.Eisenkot said Sunday that the conditions for parties joining his governing coalition are support for Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, for its declaration of independence, for military or national service, and recognizing the Hamas militant group as a terrorist organization. Story continues below advertisement While the announcement doesn’t guarantee that Eisenkot will be the next ...