Israel's president to decide Sunday who tries to form government as Eisenkot gains majority backing

Summary

Israeli President Isaac Herzog says he will decide on Sunday which of two rivals should first try to form a government, after an election that left neither the Likud-led bloc of Benjamin Netanyahu nor the opposition led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with a parliamentary majority. Eisenkot received endorsements from 67 of the Knesset's 120 lawmakers over several days of consultations, while 46 endorsed Netanyahu. Herzog said the consultation results may appear clear but pointed to mutual vetoes between the blocs and within them, making it hard to say who has the best shot at forming a government. ABC reports that the president is set to give Netanyahu's rival the first chance. Arab parties and Naftali Bennett's B'Yachad party have backed Eisenkot, and the Yashar party urged Herzog to give him the mandate as soon as possible.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   5 Nov 2026, 18:13 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Herzog will decide on Sunday which of Eisenkot or Netanyahu should try first to build a government, after Eisenkot received endorsements from 67 of 120 lawmakers versus 46 for Netanyahu, and that Herzog said mutual vetoes made it unclear who has the best shot.

2. ABC

   5 Nov 2026, 20:00 UTCSource ↗

   ABC reports that Israel's president is set to hand Netanyahu's rival Eisenkot the first chance to form a government, noting that neither bloc secured a parliamentary majority in last week's election.

3. Hindustan Times

   6 Nov 2026, 00:37 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that Eisenkot received 67 recommendations and Netanyahu 46, with Arab parties backing Eisenkot as the president prepares to name the prime minister candidate on Sunday.

4. Middle East Eye

   6 Nov 2026, 03:04 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Eisenkot received 67 recommendations versus 46 for Netanyahu, that the Yashar party urged Herzog to grant Eisenkot the mandate as soon as possible, and that Herzog will hold further talks before assigning the mandate on Sunday.

5. Hindustan Times

   6 Nov 2026, 05:33 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that on the second day of consultations on Friday, November 6, representatives of the B'Yachad party led by Naftali Bennett endorsed Eisenkot to form the government.