Herzog Tasks Eisenkot With Forming Israeli Government

After Israel’s October 27 election left no bloc with the 61 seats needed for a majority, President Isaac Herzog tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government. Eisenkot has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to secure a majority; 67 lawmakers recommended him, though the four Jewish-led opposition parties backing him hold 48 seats, compared with 53 for Netanyahu’s bloc, while Arab-led parties hold 19 and have endorsed Eisenkot. Eisenkot has called for a national emergency government, but divisions over Arab-party support, ultra-Orthodox factions and a broader unity arrangement leave coalition talks uncertain and another election possible. Netanyahu and his allies alleged election fraud and foreign interference, but officials found no irregularities affecting the result, the attorney general rejected requests to question politicians for lack of evidence, and a Shin Bet inquiry into suspected foreign funding remains open; a judge said its potential impact was limited. The political deadlock comes amid weakening bipartisan U.S. support for Israel over its wars in Gaza and Iran, with President Donald Trump suggesting he could end military aid.