Herzog tasks Eisenkot with forming Israeli government after inconclusive election
Israeli President Isaac Herzog's office announced on Saturday that Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, has been tasked with forming the next government, a setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Sky News Arabia, the vote gave neither camp a parliamentary majority, while RT reported that Eisenkot secured the backing of 67 lawmakers. CNN Arabic said the formal mandate would be handed over on Sunday.
Why it matters
The mandate opens the way for a change at the head of Israel's government after years under Netanyahu, though not necessarily a shift on the Palestinian file. According to Al Jazeera, Eisenkot shares Netanyahu's rejection of a Palestinian state, his insistence on Israeli security control, and his aim of disarming Hamas.
Background
In Israel's parliamentary system, the president tasks a member of the Knesset with trying to form a government that commands majority support among lawmakers after an election. The designated candidate negotiates with parliamentary blocs to build a governing coalition. Benjamin Netanyahu is the current prime minister.
Key points
- Al Jazeera reported that Eisenkot has many disagreements with Netanyahu but agrees with him in rejecting the creation of a Palestinian state.
- According to Al Jazeera, Eisenkot also shares Netanyahu's insistence on Israeli security control over the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, and on dismantling Hamas's weapons.
- Al Jazeera's headline called Eisenkot the man behind the "Dahiya doctrine."
- BBC Arabic described Eisenkot as the head of the opposition bloc that gained an edge in the legislative elections.
- RT said the designation came amid deep political divisions.
What’s next
According to CNN Arabic, the president's office said Herzog would formally task Eisenkot on Sunday. The sources gave no later date for completing the government's formation.
How outlets covered it
Al Jazeera focused on Eisenkot's profile and positions, stressing where he agrees with Netanyahu despite their disputes. CNN Arabic emphasized that the move is a setback for Netanyahu and said the tasking would take place on Sunday, while BBC Arabic and Sky News Arabia framed it as having happened on Saturday. BBC Arabic highlighted the edge his bloc gained in the election, whereas Sky News Arabia said the vote gave a majority neither to his camp nor to Netanyahu's. Only RT cited support from 67 lawmakers and pointed to deep political divisions.
How outlets headlined it
- الجزيرةصاحب "عقيدة الضاحية".. غادي آيزنكوت الجنرال المكلف بتشكيل الحكومة الإسرائيلية
- BBC عربيالرئيس الإسرائيلي يكلف غادي آيزنكوت بتشكيل الحكومة
- CNN بالعربيةتكليف غادي آيزنكوت بتشكيل الحكومة في إسرائيل
- سكاي نيوز عربيةالرئيس الإسرائيلي يكلف آيزنكوت بتشكيل الحكومة
- روسيا اليوم (RT Arabic)الرئيس الإسرائيلي يكلف آيزنكوت بتشكيل الحكومة
This is a brief summary. The full details and context are in the original coverage.
Read the full story at الجزيرةIn this story:Israel
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