Israel: Eisenkot mandated, coalition to build and change under conditions

Gadi Eisenkot took a step towards power, without having yet won the government battle. President Isaac Herzog officially gave him the mandate to form the next Israeli government on Sunday 8 November 2026 in Jerusalem. RFI, Blick and RTS report the same ceremony, after the presidential announcement on Saturday. The Yashar centrist leader has 28 days, possibly extended by 14 days, to transform his supporters into a coalition. [S11] [S3] [S4]

Recommendations, not yet a majority

Speaking of "win" should not mask the fragmented result of the October 27 legislative elections. The Likud remained the first party, with 27 seats, ahead of the 21 of Yashar. The Eisenkot bloc has 48 of the 120 members of the Knesset, compared with 53 in the Benyamin Netanyahu camp. The 67 recommendations obtained by Eisenkot from the President therefore do not constitute a government agreement. The Jerusalem Post states, inter alia, that the two Arab formations do not commit them to join its coalition. [S30] [S31]

The difference between the 53 seats of Camp Netanyahu and its 46 recommendations is explained by the decision of the unified Judaism of the Torah not to support any candidate at this stage. Three realities must thus remain distinct: election results, the choice of a negotiator and the commitment to govern together. [S30]

A union under his direction

Eisenkot invites members of the Likud and the religious Zionist Party of Bezalel Smotrich to support a government led by him. He presents this openness as a response to a historical crisis for which he accuses Netanyahu of being responsible. Herzog insists on stability and an executive at the service of all citizens, including those who have not voted for its components. This appeal is not valid between the parties. [S11] [S3] [S4]

The conditions laid down by Eisenkot concern the recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic State, the values of the declaration of independence, an obligation to serve and the recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization. RFI states in its Saturday report that the proposed service may be military or civilian. These principles provide a framework for negotiation, not yet a detailed joint programme. [S11] [S18]

Arab and religious parties: two difficult negotiations

The two main Arab lists have 19 seats, but their support divides the opposition. Avigdor Liberman, leader of Israel Beitenu, even refuses a government indirectly dependent on their voices. Conversely, Yair Golan, the leader of the Democrats, defends a coalition with them, reports the Jerusalem Post. The issue therefore goes beyond the division of ministries: it concerns the ability of these elected representatives to participate in decisions for their electors. [S20] [S31]

An alliance with the ultra-Orthodox formations encounters another obstacle: the conscription of religious students, to which their parties oppose. Eisenkot wants to limit exemptions. For those concerned, the compromise would directly affect the continuation of religious studies and the sharing of service obligations. However, the information available does not specify future exemptions, sanctions or remedies; they do not allow an assessment of the proportionality of a concrete device. [S23] [S25] [S18]

Blick also mentions a minority government, supported by the 48 members of the Eisenkot bloc against 46 followers in Netanyahu, with abstentions among the other groups. When asked by the AFP, political scientist Assaf Shapira stresses his fragility: each text would require additional support. It also highlights a possible institutional advantage, the strengthening of parliamentary control over the executive. This is a scenario, not an acquired outcome. [S3]

Promised freedoms, limited diplomatic breakdown

Eisenkot promised to protect judicial independence, the rule of law, minority rights and freedom of the press, as well as to strengthen the rights of LGBTQ+ people. These commitments relate specifically to the possibility of challenging power, expressing and living without discrimination. But the articles available do not present detailed measures or guarantees accepted by its future partners: their translation will depend on the coalition agreement. [S27] [S29]

His promise of a national commission of inquiry into the failures that led to the attack on 7 October 2023 opened another project, the establishment of responsibilities. Again, political commitment does not prejudge the conclusions or the results of this investigation. [S25] [S29]

On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an alternation would not automatically mean a rupture. Eisenkot is currently opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state and promises to end Hamas' power in Gaza "within eighteen months". His commitments to freedom in Israel must therefore be distinguished from his security and diplomatic orientations. [S25] [S27]

In the event of failure, the search for a government could be entrusted to another parliamentarian and, if institutional possibilities are exhausted, lead to new elections. Netanyahu is therefore not yet replaced. Change now depends as much on the partners as Eisenkot can bring together as on the concessions they will require. [S30] [S31]