Israel's President Tasks Opposition Candidate Eisenkot With Forming Government

Israel's president has entrusted former armed forces chief Eisenkot with forming a new government. The decision follows parliamentary elections in which neither Eisenkot nor long-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured a clear majority. Eisenkot ran as Netanyahu's main rival, so the right to try to assemble a government now passes to a candidate from the opposition.

Parties' recommendations

During consultations with the president held this week, representatives of most of Israel's main parties recommended that Eisenkot be given the task of forming a government. The announcement had been expected on Sunday.

Netanyahu's response

Shortly before the announcement, Netanyahu called in a video statement for a "national unity government". He also warned against a "hasty appointment of a government with terror supporters", a remark that apparently referred to Arab-led parties.

Stance on Arab parties

Netanyahu and his allies have repeatedly portrayed Arab-led parties as a threat to national security. Eisenkot, by contrast, has said he is willing to cooperate with them under certain conditions. Among other things, he has described Hamas as a terrorist group that must be destroyed.

Eisenkot must now try to secure enough support to form a government in a situation where the election results gave no one a clear majority.