Israeli President Isaac Herzog has mandated Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the centrist Yashar party, to form a new government following last month’s inconclusive legislative elections.
“President Isaac Herzog has decided to task Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the ‘Yashar’ party, with forming a government,” the president’s office announced Saturday evening. The decision followed consultations with party leaders, including Eisenkot and incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the statement, factions representing 67 members of the 120-seat Knesset endorsed Eisenkot, while 46 backed Netanyahu. Herzog has invited Eisenkot to the presidential residence for the formal mandate ceremony on Sunday.
Under Israeli law, a designated candidate receives 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. Should that effort fail, the president may grant a second candidate up to 28 days. A third attempt, if requested by the Knesset, allows 14 days. If all attempts collapse, the country returns to the polls.
Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff, pledged to “do everything” to establish a functioning administration.
Neither bloc secured the 61-seat majority required to govern outright in the recent vote. Netanyahu’s right-religious camp finished with 53 seats, while the opposition alignment led by Yashar held 48. Netanyahu’s Likud remained the single largest party with 27 seats, while Arab parties collectively won a record 19 seats.
The mandate comes a day after Netanyahu publicly urged the formation of a national unity government.
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