Gadi Eisenkot tasked with forming Israel’s government after deadlocked vote

President Isaac Herzog has decided to task Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, with forming a government following legislative elections that produced no clear winner, a statement from the president’s office said.

The decision followed consultations in which factions totalling 67 members of the Knesset backed Eisenkot, while 46 supported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the statement said.

The president has invited Gadi Eisenkot to the president’s residence for the ceremony to confer the mandate, which will take place tomorrow, the statement added.

A candidate tasked with forming a government has 28 days to carry out the job, with the president able to extend this by a maximum of 14 days if necessary. Should that fail, the president can give a second leader the chance to form a government with a 28 day deadline, and a subsequent third candidate may be requested by the Knesset with a 14 day period before another election is called.

Eisenkot, a former military chief, has vowed to do everything to form a new government, the statement reported.

Both Eisenkot and Netanyahu’s blocs fell short of a majority in the 120 seat Knesset in the recent elections. Netanyahu’s camp finished on 53 seats, while the opposition, led by the Yashar party, ended on 48. Netanyahu’s Likud party remained the largest party with 27 seats, and the Arab parties secured a record 19 seats between them.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The president’s decision to task Gadi Eisenkot reflects the parliamentary arithmetic after the consultations, with a larger number of Knesset members indicating support for Eisenkot than for Benjamin Netanyahu.

With the 28 day mandate and limited extension options, the next weeks will determine whether Eisenkot can convert his backing into a viable coalition, or whether the process will move to subsequent candidates or another election as outlined in the formation deadlines.

Eisenkot’s pledge to do everything to form a government highlights the immediate political challenge of building a majority in a fragmented Knesset where neither bloc achieved a decisive result.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• President Isaac Herzog has asked Gadi Eisenkot to form a government after consultations.
• Factions totalling 67 Knesset members backed Eisenkot while 46 backed Benjamin Netanyahu.
• The mandate conferral ceremony for Gadi Eisenkot will take place tomorrow.
• The initial period to form a government is 28 days with a possible 14 day extension by the president.
• If formation attempts fail the process may move to additional candidates or a new election as per the stipulated deadlines.