Knesset convenes, Herzog entrusts mandate to Gadi Eizenkot

The newly elected Knesset convened for its inaugural session, roughly two weeks after the parliamentary elections held on 27 October. The 120 members of the 26th Knesset are scheduled to take the oath of office at the opening sitting.

Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right‑wing Likud emerged as the single largest party with 27 of the 120 seats, President Isaac Herzog has given the mandate to form a government to his rival, former IDF chief Gadi Eizenkot.

Why Eizenkot received the mandate

During consultations with party leaders, Eizenkot won the broadest backing to try to assemble a coalition, receiving more pledges of support than other contenders. His centrist party Yashar finished second with 21 seats, but analysts say building a stable majority will be difficult given the slim arithmetic in the new Knesset.

Eizenkot initially has 28 days to form a government; the president may extend that period by an additional 14 days. If he fails, Herzog can assign the mandate to another candidate, who would then receive a further 28 days to try. Netanyahu is considered a likely second option should Eizenkot not succeed.

Coalition negotiations are expected to be complex and closely watched in the coming weeks as Israel moves toward constituting a new government.

Photo: press material from the event