After Israel Election Deadlock, Israeli Opposition Leader Tapped to Form Government

Eisenkot gets first opportunity

Herzog announced Saturday night that Eisenkot would have the first opportunity to assemble a governing coalition. Neither Eisenkot nor Netanyahu’s party secured a clear majority in the Oct. 27 vote.

Representatives from most of Israel’s main parties recommended Eisenkot during lengthy discussions with the president this week. The recommendation gives him the initial chance to try to form a government, but does not guarantee that he can do so.

Arab parties may prove pivotal

Both political blocs need support from Arab parties to reach a governing majority. The leaders of the two largest Arab parties said they were prepared to help Eisenkot’s opposition bloc remove Netanyahu from power.

Most Jewish-led parties opposing Netanyahu had pledged before the election not to depend on Arab-party support to form a government. Eisenkot has signaled he could work with Arab parties if they accept conditions, including describing Hamas as a terrorist group that must be destroyed.

Election claims and party disputes

The acting director-general of the Central Elections Committee, Din Livne, wrote Thursday that claims of systematic damage to election integrity had no basis. The letter was addressed to a committee member.

Netanyahu and his allies have portrayed Arab-led parties as a national security threat. Eisenkot’s Yashar party criticized a video by the prime minister and called on Likud members to reject their alliance with what it called “radical parties,” an apparent reference to settler-linked and ultra-Orthodox parties in Netanyahu’s coalition.

Netanyahu remains caretaker

Netanyahu, who received strong backing from President Trump, will stay on as caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed. If coalition talks fail, Israel would have to hold another election, with Netanyahu remaining in office in the meantime.