Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot appears poised to receive the mandate to form Israel’s next government after securing recommendations from 67 lawmakers, dealing a significant political setback to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following last month’s inconclusive elections.
President Isaac Herzog announced Thursday that he would assign the mandate on Sunday after completing consultations with parties elected to the 120-member Knesset, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Eisenkot secured backing from 48 lawmakers representing the opposition bloc, along with 19 members of the Arab-led Ra’am and Joint List parties. Netanyahu received 46 recommendations after United Torah Judaism, a longtime coalition ally, declined to endorse either candidate.
However, Eisenkot’s path to power remains uncertain. Several opposition leaders oppose forming a government dependent on Arab parties, leaving him without an assured 61-seat governing majority.
During consultations, Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas expressed support for the complete disarmament of Hamas, a key condition Eisenkot has established for potential coalition partners.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s Likud party argued that the prime minister should receive the mandate because Likud remains Israel’s largest party, holding 27 seats. Netanyahu’s broader political bloc controls 53 seats.
Israel’s political uncertainty comes amid an ongoing Shin Bet investigation into allegations of foreign interference in Arab communities during the election. However, the Central Elections Committee has certified the results, stating that election integrity was not compromised.
Whoever receives the mandate will initially have 28 days to assemble a governing coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. Failure to establish a government could ultimately send Israelis back to the polls.
The newly elected Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in November 10.
Please help us to keep on publishing news that brings Hope in Jesus:
>> Donate >> Become a Super Subscriber
VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/gatewaynews100
COMMENTING GUIDELINES
You are welcome to engage with our articles by making comments [in the Comments area below] that add value to a topic or to engage in thoughtful, constructive discussion with fellow readers. Comments that contain vulgar language will be removed. Hostile, demeaning, disrespectful, propagandistic and off-topic comments may also be moved. This is a Christian website and if you wish to vent against Christian beliefs you have probably come to the wrong place and your comments may be removed. Ongoing debates and repetitiveness will not be tolerated. You will also disqualify yourself from commenting if you engage in trolling.
