Israeli president to name Sunday who will try to form new government

Summary

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he will announce on Sunday, 8 November, which Knesset member he will task with trying to form a new government, after post-election talks with all party leaders. The 27 October election ended in deadlock, with neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot securing a clear path to a parliamentary majority. In a video message, Herzog said 46 lawmakers recommended Netanyahu, 67 backed Eisenkot and seven abstained. Le Monde reports that leaders of six parties representing a Knesset majority chose Eisenkot, the former chief of staff, as the most legitimate candidate to form a government, and Al Jazeera reports the announcement comes after a majority of lawmakers endorsed Eisenkot over Netanyahu.

Timeline

1. NDTV

   5 Nov 2026, 20:45 UTCSource ↗

   NDTV reports that Herzog said he will announce on Sunday whom he will task with trying to form a new government, following post-election talks with all party leaders.

2. Middle East Eye

   5 Nov 2026, 21:17 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Herzog said in a video message that he intends to task a Knesset member with forming the government this coming Sunday, noting that 46 members recommended Netanyahu, 67 backed Eisenkot and seven abstained.

3. Le Monde

   6 Nov 2026, 00:00 UTCSource ↗

   Le Monde reports that leaders of six parties representing a Knesset majority chose Eisenkot as the most legitimate candidate to form a new government, and that Herzog is expected to announce his decision on Sunday.

4. Middle East Eye

   6 Nov 2026, 06:54 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Herzog said on Thursday he will announce his chosen candidate to form a government on Sunday, 8 November, after parties representing 67 lawmakers picked Eisenkot and factions representing 46 picked Netanyahu.

5. Al Jazeera

   6 Nov 2026, 07:09 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Herzog will name a candidate to form a government on Sunday, after a majority of Israeli lawmakers endorsed Eisenkot over Netanyahu.

6. Bloomberg

   6 Nov 2026, 09:20 UTCSource ↗

   Bloomberg reports that Herzog will decide on Sunday whether Netanyahu or Eisenkot gets the first chance to form a governing coalition, after Eisenkot secured recommendations from 67 of the 120 Knesset members compared with 46 for Netanyahu.

7. France 24

   6 Nov 2026, 10:02 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Herzog will announce on Sunday, 8 November, whom he will task with forming a new government, after opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot secured a commanding number of recommendations to replace Netanyahu.

8. France 24

   6 Nov 2026, 10:39 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Herzog said he will announce on Sunday, 8 November, whom he will task with trying to form a new government, after post-election talks with all party leaders, with 46 members recommending Netanyahu and 67 backing Eisenkot.