Israel's president chose Gadi Eisenkot on November 7, 2026 to try to form a new government after a deadlocked election left neither Eisenkot nor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a clear path to power. The mandate is due to be handed over at a ceremony at the president's residence in Jerusalem on Sunday.
Eisenkot's mandate gives Israel's largest Knesset bloc 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a two-week extension available, after 67 of 120 lawmakers recommended him over Netanyahu's 46.
Israel's president on Saturday chose Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, to try to form a new government following a deadlocked election that left neither man with a clear path to power, Reuters reported.
The president's office said the formal ceremony handing over the mandate would be held at the president's residence in Jerusalem on Sunday at 17:00. Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government, with an option to extend by two weeks, the office said.
Herzog's decision followed consultations with party representatives in the 26th Knesset that ended on Thursday. Factions holding 67 seats recommended Eisenkot, while factions holding 46 backed Netanyahu, and one faction of seven lawmakers made no recommendation, according to the president's office.
Eisenkot said a majority of lawmakers support a change of government and his premiership. He said only 46 lawmakers support Netanyahu continuing as prime minister, and he criticized Netanyahu's continued leadership of the interim government as a danger to the country.
Pick the topics you care about. Get only what matters, on your cadence.