The president of Israel asks opposition leader Eisenkot to form a government instead of Netanyahu

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government after elections resulted in a political deadlock. Eisenkot, a former military chief, has 28 days to establish a coalition, with support from 67 lawmakers compared to 46 for Benjamin Netanyahu. The ultra-Orthodox party's refusal to back Netanyahu was pivotal. Despite backing from Arab parties, Eisenkot's opposition bloc remains hesitant to form a formal alliance. He proposes a minority government with four Jewish opposition parties, but disagreements persist on external support. Netanyahu has shifted his rhetoric, calling for a unity government while criticizing Eisenkot's potential coalition with Arab parties. Public pressure is mounting for Eisenkot to cooperate with Arab parties, but failure to form a government could lead to new elections.