Netanyahu rival Eisenkot seeks 'wide' government but path to power uncertain

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1. 1h ago

   Israeli President Tasks Eisenkot With Forming Government After Netanyahu Loses Majority

   Israeli President Isaac Herzog has given former military chief Gadi Eisenkot 28 days to form a government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to secure a parliamentary majority following last week's deadlocked election. Eisenkot aims to build a "wide" coalition but faces major obstacles uniting ideologically opposed parties. Netanyahu's Likud remains the largest single faction, and his bloc still holds significant Knesset seats. If Eisenkot fails, the mandate returns to the Knesset or goes to Netanyahu, likely triggering a sixth election in under four years.

   Why it matters

   Israel has endured prolonged political paralysis with five elections since 2019, leaving Netanyahu in power through fragile right-wing coalitions. This election produced no clear majority for either the pro-Netanyahu or anti-Netanyahu blocs. Eisenkot, a political newcomer who headed the IDF until 2019, represents a centrist alternative but lacks governing experience. His success depends on bridging gaps between Arab parties, left-wing groups, and right-wing defectors who share little beyond opposition to Netanyahu.

   What is confirmed

   • Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government within 28 days.
   • Netanyahu lost his parliamentary majority in the recent election.
   • Eisenkot is a former IDF chief of staff with no prior elected office.
   • Eisenkot seeks to form a 'wide' government but faces major obstacles.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Eisenkot may include Netanyahu in his coalition.
   • Eisenkot offers a stark contrast to Netanyahu but risks continuing his legacy.

   What to watch next

   • Eisenkot's progress in coalition negotiations over the 28-day mandate period
   • Whether Netanyahu's Likud party fractures or remains unified in opposition
   • Potential Knesset vote to dissolve parliament if both candidates fail
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. www.straitstimes.com — Oil edges lower following three days of gains
   2. www.koreatimes.co.kr — Saudi Arabia strikes Yemen capital as Houthis vow to retaliate
   3. asia.nikkei.com — Exclusive: Apple cuts iPhone 18 Pro orders due to soft demand - Nikkei Asia
   4. The New York Times — Who Is Gadi Eisenkot, the Israeli Tasked With Forming a Government?
   5. NPR — Israel's president taps opposition candidate, not Netanyahu, to form a government
   6. nypost.com — Netanyahu’s rival will have first shot at becoming Israel’s new prime minister — despite lackluster election result
   7. Reuters — Netanyahu rival Eisenkot seeks 'wide' government but path to power uncertain
   8. www.aljazeera.com — The anti-Netanyahu: Can Gadi Eisenkot give the world a ...
   9. Yahoo — Israeli opposition leader Eisenkot may include Netanyahu in coalition
   10. Yahoo — Israel’s president gives Eisenkot first chance at government
   11. www.cnn.com — Israel faces political chaos as Netanyahu’s grip on power weakens. What will it take to end the disarray?
   12. www.straitstimes.com — Netanyahu rival Eisenkot seeks 'wide' government | The ...
   confidence 90%