Herzog picks Israeli opposition leader to form coalition government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has given opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the opportunity to form a coalition government, marking a setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Herzog picks Israeli opposition leader to form coalition government

TL;DR

  • Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a coalition government.
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party recently lost its majority in the Knesset.
  • Eisenkot has 28 days, with a potential 14-day extension, to form the government.
  • A majority of incoming Knesset members recommended Eisenkot to form the government during consultations.
  • Netanyahu has publicly criticized the potential for Eisenkot to form a government with Arab parties he accuses of supporting terrorism.
  • Eisenkot will formally receive the mandate at a ceremony on Sunday.