Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot tasked with forming new Israeli government

Israel's former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has stepped up to form a new government after receiving a formal mandate from President Isaac Herzog on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The 66-year-old leader of the Yashar party now has 28 days to put together a ruling team, despite his political bloc currently lacking a clear majority in parliament.

The Crisis

At the presidential residence in Jerusalem, Mr. Eisenkot warned that outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed the nation into a historic and dangerous emergency. He pointed to a severe diplomatic fallout with international partners, noting that even close allies are questioning their ties with Israel. Mr. Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court and faces ongoing corruption charges that could lead to prison time if he loses power.

Coalition Hurdles

To build a coalition, Mr. Eisenkot reached out to members of Mr. Netanyahu's Likud Party and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's far-right party, insisting that he must serve as Prime Minister. While he secured backing recommendations from parties holding 67 lawmakers during consultations, this total includes Israeli Arab politicians whom several factions refuse to include in a governing alliance. Former aide Avigdor Liberman expressed a willingness to partner with ultra-Orthodox parties despite their exemption from military service, prioritizing the removal of Mr. Netanyahu over previous campaign pledges. Political expert Assaf Shapira of the Israel Democracy Institute noted that a minority government of just 48 lawmakers would prove extremely fragile.

Context

Israel operates under a parliamentary system where forming a government typically requires assembling a coalition of multiple political parties to command a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held power for nearly two decades across multiple terms, steering the nation's political landscape sharply to the right. The country's recent military campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran have heavily influenced both domestic political realignments and growing diplomatic friction abroad.