Eisenkot says Netanyahu's party can join government under his leadership
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked by President Isaac Herzog to form a new Israeli government following the October 27 elections.
Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party, said on Sunday that members of Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and the Religious Zionist Party could join a government led by him. According to The Hindu, Eisenkot was tasked on November 8, 2026, with forming a new government after the October 27 elections left the country without a clear parliamentary majority.
Eisenkot stated that if members of Likud and the Religious Zionist Party, which includes the party of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, truly desire national unity, he sees no reason they would not support his leadership and principles. He expressed his intention to lead the formation of a national emergency government to avoid further political deadlock.
The 120-member Knesset requires a minimum of 61 lawmakers to sustain a government. While 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog, this does not guarantee a governing majority. Netanyahu's Likud was the largest single party in the election, but his coalition did not reach a majority.
Eisenkot's current bloc includes 48 lawmakers from Yashar, Together, The Democrats, and Yisrael Beiteinu. While support from the Joint List and Ra'am could increase his numbers, Eisenkot has declined to join forces with Arab parties. Other potential paths to a majority include the UTJ and Shas parties, though military conscription remains a complicating factor.
Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension. He has ruled out serving under Netanyahu, despite the Prime Minister's proposal for a unity government.