Gadi Eisenkot tasked with forming Israeli government after deadlocked election

Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot was handed the first mandate to form a new government on 8 November, after President Isaac Herzog invited him to the presidential residence. The appointment follows the 27 October parliamentary election, which left both Eisenkot and incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu without the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120‑member Knesset.

According to Yashar party head Eisenkot, he intends to move swiftly to assemble a broad-based administration, characterizing the endeavor as exceptionally difficult while calling for innovative and non-traditional political measures. He framed the situation as a national emergency, citing threats from Iran, the need for progress toward peace in Gaza and ongoing negotiations with Lebanon and other neighbours.

Background

The October 27 election saw Netanyahu’s religious‑nationalist bloc lose its majority for the first time in decades, though it remained the largest single bloc in the Knesset. Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces, emerged as Netanyahu’s strongest rival. President Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, formally nominated Eisenkot on 7 November, triggering a 28‑day period—extendable by 14 days—for coalition talks.

Eisenkot has identified three possible paths to securing a legislative majority: establishing a minority cabinet dependent on Arab factions for critical votes, negotiating a coalition with ultra-Orthodox groups previously shunned by him and his supporters, or forming a joint administration with Netanyahu. All three options face significant obstacles, according to analysts cited in the sources.

Why it matters

The deadlock affects Israel’s ability to address pressing security concerns, including the perceived threat of an Iranian attack and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. A stable government is also needed to advance negotiations with Lebanon and other regional neighbours. The conditions Eisenkot has set for any potential coalition involve acknowledging Israel's status as a Jewish and democratic nation, implementing mandatory national service to strengthen the armed forces, and maintaining a strict position against Hamas, which he views as a terrorist entity.

The outcome will determine which parties hold sway over defence, foreign policy and domestic reforms. If Eisenkot succeeds, his coalition could shift Israel’s approach to Arab parties and ultra‑Orthodox factions. Failure would allow Netanyahu another chance to form a government, or open the field to a third candidate, prolonging the political impasse.

What happens next

Eisenkot now has 28 days to negotiate a coalition, with a possible 14‑day extension if needed. Should he be unable to secure a majority, the mandate will pass to another candidate, and the process could repeat until a government is formed or new elections are called. Analysts note that all three of Eisenkot’s proposed pathways are considered unlikely, suggesting that further negotiations and possibly a unity arrangement may be required to break the stalemate.