Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday gave opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form the next Israeli government, according to France 24. Eisenkot has up to six weeks to assemble a coalition, and his aim is to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, France 24 reported.
Herzog formally gave Eisenkot the mandate on Sunday evening, France 24 said. The step follows an inconclusive election that left parliament divided, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
Eisenkot is a former military chief and ex-general. Netanyahu is described by SCMP as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.
Speaking at a ceremony at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, Herzog said he hoped whatever government is formed will lead to unity, connection and healing among all segments of the people, SCMP reported.
The outlook is uncertain. SCMP reports that complex coalition negotiations still lie ahead. Israel also remains scarred by the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and the multifront wars they triggered, the outlet said.
If Eisenkot fails to build a coalition, the task likely reverts to Netanyahu, who is serving as caretaker prime minister, according to the Japan Times. That account is based on a headline and a short excerpt, so it is the least detailed of the reports available.
Several gaps remain. The sources do not give vote or seat figures from the election, so the size of the divide is not quantified. The election date is not stated. Neither Eisenkot nor Netanyahu has responded in the material reviewed. The France 24 item is a brief summary, and its video did not load, so its full reporting was not available. Most of the key facts therefore rest on short reports from France 24, SCMP and the Japan Times.
Sources
This article was written with AI assistance from the published reporting listed above. It is part of the World Brief daily news podcast.