Eisenkot receives mandate to form Israeli government, warns of 'point of no return' for democracy

Summary

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot formally received a mandate from President Isaac Herzog on Sunday to form Israel's next government, with the aim of replacing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Hindu and The Guardian report that Eisenkot, 66, leader of the Yashar party, has 28 days to do so despite his bloc lacking a clear majority, while France 24 reports he has up to six weeks to negotiate with potential coalition partners. France 24 says an alliance with Arab Israeli parties is the mathematically easiest option but remains politically sensitive. The Guardian reports that Eisenkot began reaching out to Netanyahu's allies and said the prime minister had brought Israel to a historic crisis approaching a 'point of no return'. Al Jazeera reports that Eisenkot warned of a 'point of no return' for democracy and is open to Netanyahu joining the next government.

Timeline

1. Al Jazeera

   8 Nov 2026, 16:51 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government, and that Eisenkot warned of a 'point of no return' for democracy.

2. France 24

   8 Nov 2026, 16:58 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Eisenkot has officially been tasked with forming the government and has up to six weeks to negotiate with potential coalition partners, and that an alliance with Arab Israeli parties is mathematically the easiest option but politically sensitive.

3. The Hindu

   8 Nov 2026, 17:31 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that Eisenkot, 66, a political novice who has vowed to bridge Israel's deep polarisation under Netanyahu, formally received the mandate and has 28 days to form a government despite his bloc lacking a clear majority.

4. The Guardian

   8 Nov 2026, 17:53 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, started reaching out to Netanyahu's allies on Sunday, said the prime minister had brought Israel to a historic crisis approaching a 'point of no return', and was given 28 days to form a government despite his bloc lacking a clear majority.

5. Al Jazeera

   8 Nov 2026, 18:12 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Herzog officially tasked Eisenkot with forming a new government and that Eisenkot is open to Netanyahu joining Israel's next government.

6. ABC News

   9 Nov 2026, 00:30 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that Herzog formally gave opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form the next government.

7. France 24

   9 Nov 2026, 10:36 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Herzog gave Eisenkot the first chance to form the next government on Sunday evening, leaving him six weeks to try to put together a coalition to oust Netanyahu.