Israel's president mandates Gadi Eisenkot to form new government
Photo: Gadi Eisenkot and Isaac Herzog (president.gov.il)
On November 7, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that he had tasked Yeshar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government, N12News reports.
The President's Residence stated that over the past few days, the head of state held consultations with representatives of the political system and met with both Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot. He informed both men of his intention to mandate Eisenkot with forming the government.
The mandate ceremony will take place tomorrow, November 8, at 17:00 at the President's Residence. Following this, Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government. It is also noted that the President has the right to grant him an additional extension of up to 14 days.
Importantly, Eisenkot had previously secured the support of 67 Knesset members for the formation of a new government. His candidacy was backed by all opposition Zionist parties as well as two Arab parties.
Furthermore, just prior to this announcement, Eisenkot set forth four clear conditions for forming a government:
- Recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state;
- Adherence to the values enshrined in the Declaration of Independence;
- Mandatory military service for all citizens;
- Recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization, along with a commitment to dismantle its military and administrative authority.
In effect, Eisenkot has defined the key terms for future coalition agreements. Whether new members can be brought into the coalition will depend on the willingness of other political forces to accept these conditions.
What is important to know about Gadi Eisenkot
He is a prominent Israeli politician and former military officer, as well as Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival in the previous elections.
From 2015 to 2019, he served as the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Eisenkot served in the Israeli army for 41 years, rising from a soldier to the position of Chief of Staff.
Several years ago, he began his political career and became a member of the Knesset.
Following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, he joined Israel's war cabinet.
In 2025, he founded his own centrist party, Yeshar.
In the 2026 elections, he led the opposition bloc, which campaigned against Benjamin Netanyahu remaining in the post of Prime Minister.
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