Herzog Taps Eisenkot to Form Coalition, Shifting Political Landscape
In Jerusalem, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has given opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a governing coalition, a development that represents a setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following recent elections where neither secured a clear majority.
Anchorage, AK, November 7, 2026 — In a significant political development, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has formally tasked opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot with the responsibility of forming a governing coalition. This decision, made in Jerusalem, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s post-election landscape.
The mandate given to Eisenkot represents a notable shift and a setback for incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Recent elections did not result in a clear majority for any single party or bloc, leading to a complex coalition-building process.
President Herzog’s decision to offer the first opportunity to Eisenkot, rather than Netanyahu, underscores the challenges faced by the Prime Minister in securing sufficient support for a new government. The outcome of the elections has left the political future uncertain, with coalition negotiations expected to be intensive.
The task of forming a coalition is typically complex in Israeli politics, often requiring extensive negotiations between multiple parties to assemble a parliamentary majority. Eisenkot now has a period to attempt to garner enough support to establish a government. If he is unsuccessful, the mandate could potentially be passed to another figure, possibly including Prime Minister Netanyahu again, or lead to further political realignments.
This development highlights the fragmented nature of the Israeli political scene following the latest electoral contest, where achieving a stable governing majority has proven elusive for the main political factions.
Story summarized from the original created by Giovanna Dell’Orto, Associated Press on www.adn.com, see more information here.
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