Eisenkot said he would work to form a wide government as quickly as possible, but his path to power was uncertain after the deadlocked election.
Eisenkot, whose Yashar party won the most seats in the October 27 election but fell short of the 61-seat majority needed to govern, said on Sunday (Israel time) that the country was “approaching a point of no return” and required a broad-based emergency administration.
“We must form a national emergency government. This will require creative and unconventional political steps.”
The October 27 election left both Eisenkot and Netanyahu unable to secure a majority. With 99 per cent of the vote counted, Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc held 53 seats. Eisenkot has described the process ahead as “extraordinarily complex”.
Herzog’s decision to task Eisenkot with forming a government started the clock on what is expected to be weeks of coalition negotiations. Eisenkot said he would work to form a wide government as quickly as possible, but his path to power remained uncertain.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Israel's political deadlock prolongs uncertainty over governance and policy direction at a time of regional tension.
- The outcome will determine whether a broad emergency government can stabilize the country or whether another election looms.
- Eisenkot's call for “unconventional” steps signals possible cross-bloc negotiations that could reshape coalition norms.
Background
Israel's October 27 election produced a hung parliament, with neither the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) nor that of former military chief Gadi Eisenkot (Yashar) winning a clear majority. Under Israeli law, President Isaac Herzog nominates a candidate, usually the leader most likely to assemble a coalition, who then has up to 42 days to form a government. Eisenkot received that mandate over the weekend.
Key Perspectives
Gadi Eisenkot: Said Israel is in a “state of emergency” and needs a “national emergency government” formed through “creative and unconventional political steps.”
President Isaac Herzog: Gave Eisenkot the first opportunity to try to form a government after the deadlocked election.
What to Watch
- Whether Eisenkot can secure support from centrist or right-wing parties outside his current bloc within the negotiation window.
- Netanyahu’s response and whether he attempts to form a rival coalition if Eisenkot fails.
- The duration of the process: Eisenkot has up to 42 days from receiving the mandate.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedEisenkot said forming a government would require “unconventional” steps.The Age - Latest News: ““We must form a national emergency government. This will require creative and unconventional political steps.””
- SupportedPresident Isaac Herzog gave Eisenkot the first chance to form a government.The Age - Latest News: “Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the weekend gave Eisenkot the first opportunity to try to form a new government”
- SupportedEisenkot said he would work to form a wide government as quickly as possible.The Age - Latest News: “Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot said he would work to form a wide government as quickly as possible”
- Not in the sourcesEisenkot’s Yashar party won the most seats in the election.The Age - Latest News: “The October 27 election left both Eisenkot and Netanyahu short of the majority required to form government.”
- Partly supportedA 61-seat majority was needed to govern.The Age - Latest News: “The October 27 election left both Eisenkot and Netanyahu short of the majority required to form government.”
- SupportedEisenkot said Israel was “approaching a point of no return”.The Age - Latest News: ““We are in a state of emergency, approaching a point of no return for the State of Israel,” Eisenkot said on Sunday (Israel time).”
- Partly supportedEisenkot said the country required a broad-based emergency administration.The Age - Latest News: ““We must form a national emergency government.””
- SupportedEisenkot said, “We must form a national emergency government. This will require creative and unconventional political steps.”The Age - Latest News: ““We must form a national emergency government. This will require creative and unconventional political steps.””
- SupportedThe October 27 election left both Eisenkot and Netanyahu short of a majority.The Age - Latest News: “The October 27 election left both Eisenkot and Netanyahu short of the majority required to form government.”
- Not in the sourcesWith 99 per cent of the vote counted, Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc held 53 seats.The Age - Latest News: “The October 27 election left both Eisenkot and Netanyahu short of the majority required to form government.”
- SupportedEisenkot described the process ahead as “extraordinarily complex”.The Age - Latest News: “That started the clock on what Eisenkot said would be an “extraordinarily complex” process.”
- Partly supportedHerzog’s decision started the clock on what is expected to be weeks of coalition negotiations.The Age - Latest News: “That started the clock on what Eisenkot said would be an “extraordinarily complex” process.”