Eisenkot open to Netanyahu joining Israel’s next government
News Source
•Sun, 08 Nov 2026 18:12:27 +0000
📰 What Happened
Israel's president has asked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to try to form the country's next government. Eisenkot now has six weeks to build a coalition. At a ceremony in Jerusalem on Sunday, he said he is open to working with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Eisenkot said members of Netanyahu's Likud party and the far-right Religious Zionist Party would also be welcome. He argued that if they truly want unity, they should back a government under his leadership. President Isaac Herzog warned that Israel faces uncertain times after the US midterm elections.
🔍 The Backstory
Eisenkot is a former army chief who ran against Netanyahu as the main challenger. His bloc did well enough that the president gave him the first chance to govern. That is a big change after years of governments led by Netanyahu.
Israeli coalitions usually need several parties to reach a majority in parliament. That means deals, arguments and compromise. Bringing in Netanyahu's allies would make the government wider, but it could also make it less stable.
🎯 Why It Matters
Who leads Israel affects the war in Gaza, ties with the US and daily life for millions of Israelis and Palestinians. A unity deal could calm the country, or it could pull it further to the right.
Israel's president has asked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to try to form the country's next government. Eisenkot now has six weeks to build a coalition. At a ceremony in Jerusalem on Sunday, he said he is open to working with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Eisenkot said members of Netanyahu's Likud party and the far-right Religious Zionist Party would also be welcome. He argued that if they truly want unity, they should back a government under his leadership. President Isaac Herzog warned that Israel faces uncertain times after the US midterm elections.
Eisenkot is a former army chief who ran against Netanyahu as the main challenger. His bloc did well enough that the president gave him the first chance to govern. That is a big change after years of governments led by Netanyahu.
Israeli coalitions usually need several parties to reach a majority in parliament. That means deals, arguments and compromise. Bringing in Netanyahu's allies would make the government wider, but it could also make it less stable.
Who leads Israel affects the war in Gaza, ties with the US and daily life for millions of Israelis and Palestinians. A unity deal could calm the country, or it could pull it further to the right.