Israeli President Herzog to Task Gadi Eisenkot with Forming Government

President Isaac Herzog is set to task Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, with forming the next government, initiating a critical 28-day period for the Israeli political system. Following consultations with party representatives, Herzog decided to grant the mandate to Eisenkot as the candidate with the highest likelihood of success, despite holding 67 recommenders.

Under Israeli law, Eisenkot will have 28 days to build a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension granted by the president. Should Eisenkot fail, the mandate would pass to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and subsequently to the Knesset if neither succeeds. Political analysts suggest that Herzog could potentially intervene with a presidential pardon for Netanyahu during the final Knesset phase to break the political deadlock.

Meanwhile, tensions have emerged within the change bloc regarding the coalition structure. Eisenkot favors a narrow government composed of four bloc parties relying on external support, while Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman rejects any reliance on Arab parties and advocates for a 61-seat coalition including United Torah Judaism and Shas. Simultaneously, Lieberman has lifted his boycott on ultra-Orthodox factions.

Following the mandate handover, Eisenkot is scheduled to reshape the Knesset agenda. The 26th Knesset will be sworn in, and a temporary Arrangements Committee will be established to oversee legislative priorities. The change bloc intends to utilize this period to advance legislation establishing a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks and repealing previous judicial reform laws. Additionally, an upcoming vote on replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana is expected, with more than 61 signatures already submitted.