Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu
Also reported by CBS News
Summary
Israeli President Isaac Herzog gave opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form a government after the Oct. 27 election. Eisenkot has up to six weeks, but neither his bloc nor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s allies won a parliamentary majority, leaving coalition talks uncertain.Key Facts
- Eisenkot is a former military chief and leads the Yashar party.
- Representatives from most major parties recommended that Herzog task Eisenkot with forming a government.
- Netanyahu’s Likud is the largest party in parliament, but Netanyahu’s allies lost their majority.
- Arab-led parties made historic gains and could help Eisenkot secure a parliamentary majority.
- Eisenkot has indicated he may work with Arab-led parties under conditions, including that they support destroying Hamas.
- Netanyahu called for a national unity government and warned against a government backed by Arab-led parties.
- Eisenkot could also pursue a unity government with major Jewish parties, though he and Netanyahu differ on key issues.
- Disagreements include exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox men and whether to investigate failures surrounding the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.
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