Israel’s president selects Gadi Eisenkot to try forming government

On 7 November 2026, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced his choice of Gadi Eisenkot to try to form the next government. The announcement followed a meeting with Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party, at the presidential residence in Jerusalem. Herzog scheduled the formal assignment for 8 November 2026. The president had consulted representatives of the factions elected to the Knesset and had also met Benjamin Netanyahu, the incumbent prime minister and leader of Likud.

The choice puts Eisenkot in a position to seek support for a government. His initial period for doing so runs for 28 days from the formal assignment. The president may grant an extension of up to 14 days. The assignment concerns the attempt to form a government. A candidate still has to put together a government and obtain the confidence of the Knesset. The announcement therefore identifies who gets the opportunity to negotiate without settling the result of those negotiations.

Facts to remember

• Isaac Herzog announced his choice on 7 November 2026; formal assignment was scheduled for 8 November 2026.
• The person selected was Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party.
• The initial period is 28 days, with a possible extension of up to 14 days.
• Israel’s Basic Law: The Government governs the formation process.

Background

Under Israel’s Basic Law: The Government, the president consults parliamentary factions before assigning a member of the Knesset the task of forming a government. The proposed government must then be presented to the Knesset for a confidence vote. The presidential assignment and parliamentary confidence are separate steps in the process.

Why it matters for exams

For CLAT comparative Polity, distinguish a mandate to form a government from the parliamentary vote required for it to take office.