Eisenkot sets Hamas condition for coalition partners as Herzog gives him six weeks to form government

Summary

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has officially given opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot six weeks to try to form the next government, after the anti-Netanyahu bloc's success in the recent Israeli elections. Eisenkot said any party willing to sign on to 'recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organisation and a commitment to destroying its military and governing capabilities' is a potential partner in his national emergency government. Speaking alongside Herzog, he said Israel 'does not have the luxury of wasting time or returning to endless rounds of elections', adding that the country is in a destructive diplomatic crisis as its closest allies reconsider their relations with it.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   8 Nov 2026, 19:35 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Eisenkot says any party willing to commit to recognising Hamas as a terrorist organisation and to destroying its military and governing capabilities is a potential partner in his national emergency government, after Herzog gave him six weeks to form the next government.