Israeli President Hands Opposition Candidate First Chance at Forming Government

Following an election where neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s nor Gadi Eisenkot’s blocs secured a majority in the Knesset, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will grant Eisenkot the first mandate to form a coalition government. Netanyahu’s coalition won 53 seats and Eisenkot’s won 48, both falling short of the 60 needed. Notably, the United Torah Judaism Party, historically aligned with Likud, has indicated a willingness to negotiate with Eisenkot.

• President Isaac Herzog will give opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the first mandate to form a coalition government.
• Neither Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc nor Eisenkot’s Yashar-led bloc secured a majority in the recent election.
• Netanyahu’s coalition won 53 seats, while Eisenkot’s won 48 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.
• The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism Party is willing to negotiate with Eisenkot, despite its historical alignment with the Likud Party.