Israeli President Isaac Herzog gave Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form a government
Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that he would give Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to form Israel’s next government, challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after an inconclusive election. Herzog plans a formal ceremony Sunday. Eisenkot still needs to assemble a coalition, and the articles say the path to a parliamentary majority remains difficult.
More context
Following consultations, Herzog said Saturday evening that Yashar chief Gadi Eisenkot would receive the mandate to try to assemble a government, ahead of Netanyahu. Herzog’s office said a formal ceremony would take place Sunday at 5 p.m. at the President’s Residence. Israel Hayom reported that 67 Knesset members recommended Eisenkot, compared with 46 who recommended Netanyahu. The Oct. 27 election left neither bloc with a parliamentary majority. Arab-led parties also nominated Eisenkot, although he has ruled out forming a government with them. Al Jazeera reported that Eisenkot has 28 days to form a coalition; Israel Hayom said his initial mandate expires Dec. 6, with an extension potentially moving the deadline to Dec. 20. The mandate does not mean a coalition has been formed or that Eisenkot has become prime minister.
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Reporting
- CNN — Eisenkot to be tasked with forming next Israeli government | CNN
- PBS News (with Associated Press) — Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu | PBS News
- Al Jazeera — Israel’s president picks Eisenkot over Netanyahu to form next government | Israel Election 2026 News | Al Jazeera
- Deutsche Welle — Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot to form government
- CBC News — Israel president asks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's rival, to form new government | CBC News
- The Media Line — Herzog To Task Gadi Eisenkot With Forming Israel’s Next Government on Sunday - The Media Line
- Israel Hayom — Herzog taps Eisenkot to form next government
Verifier’s note
The Media Line, Al Jazeera, Israel Hayom, and CNN report that President Herzog selected Eisenkot to try to form the next government; CNN and The Media Line clarify that the formal mandate ceremony is scheduled for Sunday. DW, PBS News, and CBC News also report the selection, but their coverage is wire-based or includes wire material.