Eisenkot Given Six Weeks to Build New Israeli Government

Gadi Eisenkot formally received the mandate to form the next Israeli government on Sunday at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. The 67 incoming members of the 120-seat Knesset who backed his nomination have now placed a six-week clock on his efforts to assemble a governing coalition.

Eisenkot, the leader of the centrist Yashar party, pledged to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and form what he called a national emergency government. He described the current political climate as challenging and fateful, citing active combat on multiple fronts and a decline in Israel’s standing with allies and adversaries.

"If we continue in the present situation, we risk descending to dark places," Eisenkot said during the ceremony. He warned that Israel faces a point of no return and urged for leadership that prioritizes the country’s welfare and security.

The task ahead is complex due to the split in the incoming parliament. Eisenkot’s supporters are divided into a Jewish-led bloc of 48 members and an Arab-led bloc of 19. While the Arab parties have vowed to support or refrain from opposing his government, members of the Jewish bloc have stated they will not join a cabinet that relies on that support.

Speculation has grown that Eisenkot may form a minority government or seek to bring in Haredi parties, which have historically aligned with Netanyahu. Eisenkot did not specify which path he will take but said his coalition is open to any party that accepts his core principles.

He appealed directly to members of Netanyahu’s Likud party and the far-right Religious Zionism party, though he did not name Netanyahu himself. Eisenkot rejected the prospect of a repeat election, arguing that Israel cannot afford endless rounds of voting given the urgency of its challenges.

"No one will be able to fulfill all the [campaign] promises they made, and all of us will need to compromise," Eisenkot said. He noted that Israel is in its most complicated political situation since the state’s establishment and that compromise is a necessary part of leadership.

President Isaac Herzog delivered the mandate to Eisenkot, urging him to build a stable government that serves all citizens. Herzog mentioned the possibility of a unity government that includes Netanyahu, a concept Eisenkot has previously resisted. The president also took an implied stance against lawmakers who delegitimized the Arab parties, emphasizing that every citizen has an equal voice.

Eisenkot laid out four principles for his coalition: committing to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, accepting the values of the Declaration of Independence, instituting mandatory national service, and recognizing Hamas as a terror group. He warned that anyone who tries to torpedo the process for personal reasons will be remembered by history.

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beytenu, is scheduled to meet with Eisenkot on Monday. Liberman has denied trying to block the formation of a government and said he is no longer seeking the prime ministership. Eisenkot has pledged to approach the negotiations with patience and composure.