Israel's political deadlock just entered an entirely new phase. President Isaac Herzog handed former military chief and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form the country's next governing coalition.
If you've been watching Israeli politics, you know this shake-up was bound to happen. The recent general election ended without a clear parliamentary majority for either side. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist bloc plummeted, leaving his party short of the magic number of 61 seats needed to control the 120-member Knesset. For an alternative perspective, read: this related article.
Herzog's decision gives Eisenkot 28 days to build a working coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. It's a massive moment for a politician who only jumped into electoral politics in 2022, but it's also a high-stakes gamble.
The Arithmetic Problem Facing Eisenkot
Numbers in Israeli politics are brutal. Eisenkot's opposition bloc secured 48 seats, while Arab-led parties picked up an unprecedented 19 seats. Netanyahu's wider bloc sits at 53. Similar coverage on this matter has been provided by Al Jazeera.
To cross the 61-seat threshold, Eisenkot has to pull off some extraordinary political gymnastics. He essentially has three paths, and none of them are clean:
- Form a power-sharing unity arrangement with factions of Likud.
- Rely on external support from Arab-led parties—a move fiercely opposed by several members within his own alliance.
- Bring ultra-Orthodox parties into the fold, which demands compromising on military draft exemptions—a core campaign promise Eisenkot and his partners ran on.
Eisenkot acknowledged right away that the task requires "creative and unconventional political moves". He's going to need every ounce of that creativity.
Why Netanyahu Isn't Out Yet
Don't write off Netanyahu just because he didn't get the first crack at forming a government. Israeli political history is littered with politicians who failed on their first attempt, only for the mandate to swing back to the veteran leader.
Netanyahu has already started pressing heavy pressure tactics. He slammed any potential coalition relying on Arab parties as a betrayal, calling instead for a broad national unity government. Whether those two bitter rivals can actually hash out a power-sharing deal remains deeply doubtful, but Netanyahu knows how to bide his time while opposition coalitions fracture under pressure.
What Happens Next
The clock is ticking. Eisenkot has less than a month to negotiate terms with reluctant partners, square away fierce ideological differences, and survive intense political crossfire.
If he fails, the mandate could shift, or the country could careen toward yet another exhausting round of elections that nobody actually wants. For now, the momentum has shifted, but the hard part is just beginning.
Herzog Picks Eisenkot to Form Government: What We Know
This video breaks down the details of President Herzog's decision to tap Gadi Eisenkot and analyzes what the move means for the future of Israeli leadership.
