Israeli Opposition Leader Gadi Eisenkot Secures 67 Lawmakers’ Backing to Form Government as Netanyahu Falls Behind

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot secured the backing of 67 lawmakers to form the next government on Thursday, November 5, after two Arab-led parties endorsed him, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with 46 recommendations.

The Ra’am party, led by Mansour Abbas, initially brought Eisenkot’s support to 56 lawmakers by adding its eight Knesset members to the 48 from Jewish-led opposition parties. The Joint List, which holds 11 seats, subsequently endorsed him, raising the total to 67.

Netanyahu suffered a setback when United Torah Judaism, a longtime coalition ally with seven seats, declined to recommend either candidate.

The October 27 election left Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist bloc with 53 seats and Eisenkot’s Jewish-led opposition bloc with 48, neither enough for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.

Despite receiving recommendations from both Arab-led parties, Eisenkot has ruled out including them in his government. Their endorsements do not guarantee participation in a governing coalition.

President Isaac Herzog has until November 11 to select a lawmaker to attempt to form a government. Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister until a new coalition is established or fresh elections are held.