Eisenkot recommended by 67 of 120 MKs to form government; Herzog to name mandate holder Sunday

Summary

Israeli President Isaac Herzog says he will task a would-be prime minister on Sunday, after 67 of the Knesset's 120 members recommended opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot for the role. Yashar has ruled out a coalition with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Avigdor Liberman, reversing his earlier boycott, said he is open to sitting with the Haredi UTJ party, which is refraining from recommending the incumbent premier. Likud urged unity while calling its rivals "the disaster bloc". Arab parties are backing Eisenkot, and with the odds favouring him, the Shin Bet is continuing its voter fraud probe.

Timeline

1. Times of Israel

   5 Nov 2026, 22:34 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Herzog will task a would-be prime minister on Sunday after Eisenkot was recommended by 67 of 120 MKs, with Yashar ruling out a coalition with Netanyahu and Liberman open to sitting with the Haredi UTJ party.

2. Hindustan Times

   6 Nov 2026, 08:12 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Arab parties are backing Eisenkot as Israel's prime minister, that the odds are against Netanyahu, and that the Shin Bet continues its voter fraud probe, with Herzog saying he will task a leader to form the next government by Sunday.

3. Africanews

   6 Nov 2026, 10:57 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Herzog will announce on Sunday whom he will task with forming a new government, after Eisenkot secured a commanding number of recommendations to replace Netanyahu, amid a coalition deadlock.