Context:

Israel’s president designated Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party and former army chief, to form a government after a deadlocked election left no clear path to power and neither bloc holding a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. He faces three main routes: a power-sharing arrangement with Netanyahu, securing Arab-led party support, or striking a deal with ultra-Orthodox parties, each with conditions and political risks. The move unsettles Netanyahu’s incumbency, as Eisenkot seeks to unite a fractured electorate and address security and social priorities, including ending Hamas’s rule and reducing exemptions for ultra-Orthodox draft ages. Eisenkot has 28 days to secure 61 votes, with a possible extension; failure could trigger fresh elections amidst a history of repeated deadlocks. The immediate outlook depends on coalition dynamics, Arab party concessions, and Netanyahu’s counterplay through pressure tactics and unity calls.

Dive Deeper:

• Isaac Herzog informed Gadi Eisenkot on Saturday night that he is tasked with forming a government, with a formal ceremony planned at the president’s residence in Jerusalem.

• Eisenkot, who led the Yashar bloc to 48 of 120 seats in October elections, would succeed Netanyahu if he can assemble a governing majority.

• Endorsements from Arab-majority lists during consultations give Eisenkot potential kingmaker leverage, though some bloc members oppose partnering with Arab parties.

• Three plausible paths exist: a power-sharing deal with Netanyahu, coalition support from Arab-led parties, or an alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties that demands exemptions from military service.

• Eisenkot’s conditions for any Arab party include recognizing Israel as a Jewish state and declaring Hamas a terrorist organization; Yisrael Beiteinu has signaled it will not join such a coalition.

• The bloc emphasizes equal military service and seeks to end long-standing draft exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox as a campaign cornerstone.

• Netanyahu has accused Arab-party involvement of stealing the election and continues to pressure Eisenkot, while Shin Bet is probing possible foreign interference in the vote, though officials deem the election valid.