Israeli President Invites Eisenkot to Form Government, Dealing Blow to Netanyahu

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to grant opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot a formal mandate to form a new government on Sunday at 5 p.m. local time, marking a significant political development in the country's ongoing coalition negotiations.

Eisenkot, who has emerged as a key opposition figure, will have 28 days from the date of the presidential directive to assemble a governing coalition. Should additional time be required, President Herzog retains the authority to grant an extension of up to 14 additional days to complete negotiations.

The decision represents a setback for incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose attempts to form a coalition following recent elections have faced considerable obstacles. The appointment of Eisenkot signals the president's assessment that alternative political arrangements may prove more viable in the current parliamentary configuration.

The coalition-building process in Israel typically involves extensive negotiations among political parties to secure the 61 seats required for a Knesset majority. Eisenkot's mandate now places him at the center of these negotiations, with the potential to reshape the country's political landscape in coming weeks.