Gadi Eisenkot recommended by 67 Knesset members to try to form Israel’s next government

A majority of Knesset members recommended former Israel Defense Forces chief Gadi Eisenkot to receive the mandate to try to form the next government, while consultations with President Isaac Herzog continue.

The backing came from factions representing 67 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, a total that cleared the simple majority threshold needed to make Eisenkot the president’s primary candidate to open coalition talks. ([mefiles.news](https://mefiles.news/story/2026-11-06-herzog-holds-67-recommendations-for-eisenkot-and-will-sit-on?utm_source=openai))

Coalition talks and Arab party endorsements

The delegation of supporters includes lawmakers from the pro‑Arab Joint List, whose recommendation helped push Eisenkot’s endorsements to 67. Party leaders said they will now begin negotiations about possible coalition arrangements. ([ground.news](https://ground.news/article/eisenkot-secures-67-recommendations-nears-mandate-to-form-israels-next-government?utm_source=openai))

President Isaac Herzog has been conducting consultations with all Knesset factions; under Israeli practice the president normally tasks the lawmaker who receives the most faction recommendations with forming a government. The consultations are ongoing as talks between parties continue. ([ynetnews.com](https://www.ynetnews.com/article/by6ffom6ml?utm_source=openai))

The development leaves Benjamin Netanyahu and his bloc short of a majority in the new parliament, while Eisenkot — leader of the centrist Yashar party — moves to convert factional recommendations into a workable coalition. Analysts say endorsements in the consultations do not automatically translate into a governing majority, and formal coalition agreements will be required if Eisenkot is charged with forming a cabinet. ([ynetnews.com](https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1unaf4tmx?utm_source=openai))

Photo: DPA)