Israel’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu

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   Israel President Tasks Opposition Leader Eisenkot With Forming Government

   Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally tasked Yashar leader and opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government. The move deals a significant political setback to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose right-wing coalition lost its parliamentary majority during the October 27 elections. Eisenkot, a former military chief, ran against Netanyahu in a contest where neither candidate secured a clear majority. Arab parties provided the necessary parliamentary numbers for the opposition leader, though forging a stable governing coalition amid deep domestic political divisions and international crises remains a formidable challenge.

   Why it matters

   The presidential mandate begins a critical period of coalition negotiations in Israel following an inconclusive election. Netanyahu's right-wing bloc suffered a major defeat when it lost its majority in parliament, creating an opening for opposition factions. Gadi Eisenkot now faces the difficult task of unifying disparate political groups to build a working parliamentary majority.

   What is confirmed

   • Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government.
   • Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition lost its parliamentary majority in the October 27 elections.
   • Gadi Eisenkot is a former military chief and the leader of the Yashar party.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Arab parties may not provide a straightforward route to power for Eisenkot despite supplying parliamentary numbers.

   What to watch next

   • Progress of coalition negotiations led by Gadi Eisenkot
   • Any formal agreements between Eisenkot and potential coalition partners
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. CNN — Eisenkot to be tasked with forming next Israeli government
   2. AP News — Israel’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu
   3. Reuters — Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to try to form government
   4. The Guardian — Israel’s president picks Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot to form government
   5. The Jerusalem Post — Yashar's Eisenkot to receive mandate to form new government, president announces
   6. The New York Times — Eisenkot, Netanyahu Rival and Opposition Leader, Tapped to Try to Form Government
   7. The Times of Israel — Herzog announces he will task Eisenkot tomorrow with forming new government
   8. www.cbsnews.com — Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu
   9. theconversation.com — Can Gadi Eisenkot turn the ‘disaster bloc’ into Israel’s next government?
   10. www.china.org.cn — Israeli opposition leader Eisenkot officially receives mandate to form gov't - China.org.cn
   11. toronto.citynews.ca — Israel’s president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form ...
   12. www.latimes.com — Israel’s president taps opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot to ...
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