Israel Faces Political Crisis as Gadi Eisenkot Attempts to Form Government

Israel has entered a period of significant political uncertainty as Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the centrist Yashar party, begins the difficult task of forming a new government. On Sunday, President Isaac Herzog officially gave Eisenkot a 28-day mandate to build a coalition. This decision follows an October election that left the parliament, known as the Knesset, deeply divided. With neither Eisenkot’s opposition bloc nor Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp securing a clear majority, the country is now searching for a way to create a stable government.

Speaking at a ceremony at the presidential office, Eisenkot described the current situation as a state of emergency. “We are in a state of emergency, approaching a point of no return for the state of Israel,” he said. According to The Guardian, Eisenkot emphasized that the country is facing a historic crisis and that he is committed to forming a national emergency government. He noted that this effort will require creative and unconventional political steps to bridge the deep divisions that have grown under Netanyahu’s long leadership.

Despite being tasked with forming the government, Eisenkot faces a very difficult road ahead. His opposition bloc holds 48 seats in the 120-seat parliament, while Netanyahu’s camp holds 53. To reach a majority, Eisenkot must find a way to work with other parties, but his options are limited and complicated. He could attempt a power-sharing agreement with Netanyahu, seek support from Arab-led parties, or negotiate with ultra-Orthodox parties. However, each path comes with major obstacles. For example, some members of Eisenkot’s own bloc refuse to work with Arab-led parties, while the ultra-Orthodox parties are demanding that their community members continue to be exempt from mandatory military service—a policy that Eisenkot and his partners strongly oppose.

According to Deutsche Welle, Eisenkot received 67 recommendations from members of the Knesset to lead the government, while Netanyahu received 46. This support gives Eisenkot the first opportunity to build a coalition. President Herzog stated that the conversations with different parties were transparent and reminded everyone that all citizens have an equal voice. Herzog also highlighted that Israel needs a stable government to face giant challenges, including regional security threats and the complex situation in Gaza.

Netanyahu, who is currently Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has responded to these developments by claiming the election was “stolen” by Arab parties. However, as reported by The Guardian, he has provided little to no evidence to support these claims. Netanyahu has also criticized the possibility of an alliance between Eisenkot and Arab-led parties, calling it an act of betrayal. Meanwhile, the Shin Bet, Israel’s security agency, has launched an investigation into potential foreign interference in the election, though officials have stated that the results remain valid.

Eisenkot has set clear conditions for any potential partners. He insists that any Arab party joining his coalition must recognize Israel as a Jewish state and officially name the Palestinian group Hamas a terrorist organization—a group that uses violence to achieve political goals. While the Arab-majority lists have shown a willingness to support the opposition to remove Netanyahu, internal disagreements within the opposition bloc make these negotiations fragile. One of Eisenkot’s partners, the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has already stated it will not join a coalition that includes Arab-led parties.

The international context also adds pressure to the situation. According to The Guardian, Israel is facing growing isolation, and even its closest allies are re-evaluating their relationships with the country. Eisenkot acknowledged this, stating that Israel is in the middle of a difficult diplomatic crisis. As the 28-day clock ticks down, the pressure on all sides continues to rise. If Eisenkot fails to form a government, President Herzog has the authority to pass the task to another member of parliament, likely Netanyahu. If that also fails, Israel may be forced to hold yet another round of elections, further extending the period of instability for the nation.