Eisenkot open to Netanyahu joining Israel's next government
Israel's President Isaac Herzog tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country's next government on November 8, 2026, after inconclusive October elections left no party with a parliamentary majority. Eisenkot, the former chief of the Israel Defense Forces and leader of the centrist Yashar party, received backing from 67 Knesset members while Netanyahu's Likud secured only 46. Eisenkot has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to build a coalition before Netanyahu gets his turn. The centrist leader said he is open to including Netanyahu in his government, but the path remains complicated. Neither Eisenkot's 48-seat opposition bloc nor Netanyahu's 53-seat right-wing coalition commands the 61 seats needed for a majority. Arab-led parties, which won a historic 19 seats, have endorsed Eisenkot but he has ruled out formally including them in his coalition, though external support remains an option. Deep policy divisions between Eisenkot and Netanyahu over Gaza, judicial reform, and ultra-Orthodox conscription make unity difficult.
Key facts
- Eisenkot received endorsements from 67 Knesset members; Netanyahu received 46 endorsements
- October 27 election results: Eisenkot's 4-party opposition bloc won 48 seats; Netanyahu's right-wing coalition won 53 seats; 61 seats needed for majority
- Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats in 2026 elections
- Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with possible 14-day extension
- An Arab party has been part of an Israeli governing coalition only once in the nation's history
- Eisenkot served as IDF chief of staff from 2015 to 2019 and was an observer in Netanyahu's war cabinet for first 8 months of Gaza war
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets highlighted Eisenkot as offering a genuine alternative to Netanyahu and his far-right coalition, noting he is unlikely to form a purely right-wing government. Progressive activists expressed concern that Eisenkot was rejecting Palestinian citizen parties as potential partners, viewing this as a capitulation to right-wing pressure rather than true change.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning perspectives emphasized Netanyahu's call for a 'national unity government' and cautioned that Eisenkot's openness to including him signals possible convergence. Some right-wing analysts noted Netanyahu's Likud remains the single largest party and that if Eisenkot fails, Netanyahu would get another opportunity.
Limits of this briefing
Coverage focuses heavily on coalition mechanics and political personalities rather than substantive policy differences on Palestinian rights, settlement expansion, or judicial reform. Limited perspective from Palestinian citizens of Israel or regional analysts on implications of Eisenkot's government formation attempts.
Sources
- Al Jazeera: Eisenkot open to Netanyahu joining Israel's next government Left
- NPR: Israel's President taps Netanyahu rival Gadi Eisenkot to form the new government Centre
- CNBC: Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu Centre
- Fox News: Israeli president taps Netanyahu rival to form government as coalition battle looms Right
- Times of Israel: Eisenkot tasked with forming government, vows 'creative and unconventional' path to 'emergency' coalition Centre