Israeli President Herzog tasks Gadi Eisenkot with forming government

President Isaac Herzog announced he will task Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government after 67 MKs recommended him, versus 46 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The formal mandate ceremony is set for Sunday.

President Isaac Herzog announced Saturday evening his decision to task Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government, and invited him to officially receive the mandate at the President's Residence tomorrow Sunday at 5:00 PM. Eisenkot will have 28 days to form the government, starting from the date he receives the mandate, with the possibility of an extension by the President for up to an additional 14 days. The decision comes after Eisenkot received recommendations from blocs representing 67 MKs, including members of the Joint List and the United Arab List, compared to 46 MKs who recommended Benjamin Netanyahu, while the seven MKs of Yahadut HaTorah abstained from recommending any candidate. Eisenkot had proposed forming a government based on his four-party camp, with the possibility of additional partners joining later, while Avigdor Lieberman announced his opposition to a government relying on the abstention of the Joint List and the United Arab List, and expressed willingness to compromise on the conscription law to open the door for an understanding with the Haredi parties.