Eisenkot tipped to seek Israel government with backing of Arab lists

Incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has the support of 46 parliament members, but his challenger, Gadi Eisenkot, has the backing of 67. | REUTERS

Nov 6, 2026

JERUSALEM – Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he will announce on Sunday whom he will task with trying to form a new government, after the opposition’s Gadi Eisenkot secured a commanding number of recommendations to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Herzog held a second day of consultations with political parties on Thursday after the Oct. 27 election, in which neither Netanyahu — a polarizing right-leaning premier who has led Israel through three years of war — nor Eisenkot — a former military chief promising to restore national unity — secured enough votes for a majority.

Herzog will make his choice, but traditionally, the mandate is given to the person recommended by more parliament members. Sixty-seven picked Eisenkot, 46 opted for Netanyahu, while seven abstained.

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