Israeli Opposition Parties Back Gadi Eisenkot to Form Next Government

Israeli opposition leaders agreed to recommend former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog as the candidate to form the country's next government following an inconclusive parliamentary election.

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of Israel's Yashar party, receives backing from opposition leaders to form the country's next government. [Photo: Gadi Eisenkot Facebook]

The leaders of opposition parties met for the first time since the election, as neither the bloc supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor the opposition secured the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, received the backing of opposition figures including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Yair Golan and Avigdor Lieberman.

The parties said they would recommend Eisenkot to Herzog, who is responsible for selecting the lawmaker he believes has the best chance of assembling a governing coalition.

The opposition leaders also pledged to begin negotiations on forming a new government, although disagreements over potential coalition partners could complicate the process.

Support from Arab-led parties could prove important in securing a parliamentary majority, but the opposition bloc has been divided over whether to rely on their support.

Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 seats, short of the 61 needed to govern independently. Eisenkot's chances of forming a government will therefore depend on whether he can secure additional backing from parties outside his core opposition alliance.