Eisenkot Receives Mandate to Form Israel’s Next Government
President Isaac Herzog formally tasked Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel’s next government on November 8, opening a period of coalition negotiations after the country’s October 27 parliamentary election.
The appointment took place at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. Herzog presented Eisenkot with the mandate after consultations with representatives of the parties elected to the 26th Knesset, placing responsibility for assembling a governing coalition in his hands.
Factions representing 67 members of the 120-seat parliament recommended Eisenkot, compared with 46 who recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A faction representing seven lawmakers made no recommendation. Those recommendations concern who should attempt to form a government; they do not constitute a completed coalition agreement.
Under Basic Law: The Government, Eisenkot has 28 days to complete the task. Herzog may grant an extension of up to 14 additional days if more time is needed, according to the President’s Office. The appointment itself does not make Eisenkot prime minister or establish a new administration.
Herzog announced his decision on November 7 after additional conversations with political leaders, including Netanyahu and Eisenkot. At the following day’s ceremony, he acknowledged that Netanyahu’s Likud remained the largest individual party, while Eisenkot had received broader support in the presidential consultations.
Eisenkot said he would work to establish a national emergency government and warned that the negotiations would require political flexibility. He acknowledged that parties would have to compromise and that not every campaign promise could be fulfilled.
The Yashar leader extended an invitation to parliamentary factions and specifically appealed to members of Likud and Religious Zionism to support a government under his leadership and stated principles. His remarks signaled an effort to seek support beyond his immediate political partners.
Eisenkot described Israel as facing serious military, diplomatic and domestic challenges. Those assessments formed part of his appeal for an emergency coalition and reflected his position on the country’s circumstances.
Herzog urged the next government to serve Israelis across political divisions and promote national cohesion. With the mandate now issued, negotiations among the parties will determine whether Eisenkot can turn the recommendations he received into sufficient parliamentary support for a governing coalition.
References
President’s Office — November 8, 2026
president/en/president-herzog-tasks-gadi-eisenkot-with-forming-a-government/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs / President’s Office — November 7, 2026
gov/en/pages/president-herzog-concludes-consultations-and-announces-he-will-task-gadi-eisenkot-with-forming-a-government-7-nov-2026
The Times of Israel — November 8, 2026
timesofisrael/liveblog_entry/receiving-mandate-to-form-government-eisenkot-acknowledges-task-requires-creative-and-extraordinary-political-moves/
