Israel’s Eisenkot, tasked with forming government, moves to oust Netanyahu

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1. 23m ago

   Israel's president tasks Gadi Eisenkot with forming government, sidelining Netanyahu

   President Isaac Herzog has formally asked former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to assemble a coalition after last month's election, giving the opposition leader the first mandate to replace Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot, who heads the Yashar party, now has up to 42 days to secure a 61-seat majority in the 120-member Knesset. Netanyahu responded by calling for a broad "unity" government under his own leadership and warning against a cabinet reliant on Arab parties. The move marks the first time since 2009 that someone other than Netanyahu has received the initial formation mandate.

   Why it matters

   Israel held its fifth election in under four years on 1 November 2026, producing a fragmented parliament where neither the right-religious bloc nor the anti-Netanyahu camp secured a clear majority. Herzog's decision to tap Eisenkot, a former IDF chief of staff with centrist credentials, reflects a calculation that he has the best path to cobbling together a cross-ideological coalition. Netanyahu, facing ongoing corruption trials, has dominated Israeli politics for 15 years; his removal would reshape domestic policy and regional diplomacy.

   What is confirmed

   • President Isaac Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government following the 1 November 2026 election.
   • Eisenkot leads the Yashar party and previously served as IDF chief of staff.
   • Netanyahu called for a unified government under his leadership and warned against a coalition backed by Islamist parties.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Eisenkot may seek support from Arab-led parties to reach a parliamentary majority.

   What to watch next

   • Eisenkot's deadline to present a coalition (up to 42 days from mandate)
   • Whether Netanyahu's Likud party joins an Eisenkot-led government or remains in opposition
   • Potential legal developments in Netanyahu's corruption trials affecting his political viability
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. www.nbcnews.com — NBC News - Breaking Headlines and Video Reports on World, U.S....
   2. www.jpost.com — The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and...
   3. www.straitstimes.com — Oil edges lower following three days of gains
   4. www.ctvnews.ca — U.S. midterms: Republicans shy away from Trump ahead of vote
   5. en.yenisafak.com — Iran's Khamenei says Tehran will dictate conflict end if attacked
   6. www.jns.org — Netanyahu says ‘time for unity,’ warns against government backed by ‘Islamists’
   7. The New York Times — Who Is Gadi Eisenkot, the Israeli Tasked With Forming a Government?
   8. AP News — Netanyahu rival given first chance at forming new government
   9. NPR — Israel's president taps opposition candidate, not Netanyahu, to form a government
   10. The Economist — Gadi Eisenkot has a chance to form a new government in Israel
   11. The Washington Post — Israel’s Eisenkot, tasked with forming government, moves to oust Netanyahu
   12. Yahoo — Eisenkot's strange bedfellow options to lead Israel
   confidence 92%