Eisenkot Mandated to Form Israeli Government, Signals End to Netanyahu Era

Eisenkot Mandated to Form Israeli Government, Signals End to Netanyahu Era

By NATIONWEEK News Desk | November 10, 2026

JERUSALEM, Palestinian Territory – In a seismic shift in Israeli politics, President Isaac Herzog formally tasked Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot today with forming the next government, effectively initiating the process to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Eisenkot, receiving the mandate at the President’s Residence, immediately pledged to pursue “creative and unconventional political acts” to establish a “national emergency government,” asserting Israel’s urgent need for new leadership.

Eisenkot’s nomination followed strong support from 67 of the incoming Knesset’s 120 members, a clear majority that signals a significant blow to Netanyahu’s Likud party. With up to six weeks to assemble his coalition, Eisenkot’s mission is to usher in a new era for Israel amidst what he described as a “challenging and fateful state of emergency.”

In a powerful address, Eisenkot starkly outlined the nation’s critical juncture, pointing to active combat on multiple fronts, a significant decline in Israel’s international standing, and one of the most “vulnerable moments Israeli democracy has ever known.”

He warned, “If we continue in the present situation, we risk descending to dark places, to a point of no return,” emphasizing the critical need for leadership that prioritizes Israel’s welfare and security above all.

While acknowledging the formidable challenges ahead, including a deeply fractured Knesset and a delicate balance between Jewish-led and Arab-led blocs, Eisenkot remained resolute.

He extended an open invitation to any party willing to accept his core principles: an unwavering commitment to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, adherence to the values of the Declaration of Independence, mandatory national service for all, and the uncompromising destruction of Hamas.

Notably, his appeal directly targeted members of the Likud and Religious Zionism parties, conspicuously omitting any mention of Netanyahu himself.

Eisenkot forcefully rejected the prospect of a repeat election, underscoring the urgency of the moment. “Israel does not have the privilege of wasting time or repeating endless rounds of elections. The challenges are too urgent,” he declared. He acknowledged the necessity of compromise from all factions, asserting that true leadership involves prioritizing the nation’s needs over individual campaign promises.

President Herzog, in conferring the mandate, echoed the call for stability and unity. He urged Eisenkot to forge a government capable of meeting Israel’s “immense challenges” and serving all its citizens, regardless of their political alignment. Herzog also implicitly criticized divisive rhetoric, affirming that “every citizen of Israel has an equal voice, from every side, every view, every way of life, and every faith.”

Eisenkot, without directly naming the outgoing premier, also took a pointed jab at recent rhetoric delegitimizing election results and promoting a narrow “unity” vision.

“For me, unity is neither a political bargaining chip nor an empty gimmick, but a supreme value that embodies genuine partnership,” he stated, inviting those who genuinely seek unity to support his leadership and principles.

He also issued a stern warning to any prospective coalition partners who might prioritize personal agendas over national imperatives, stating that they “will be remembered by history as someone who failed to save Israel at a time of emergency.”

With a commitment to patience, humility, and composure, Eisenkot pledged to navigate the complex political landscape, steadfast in his dedication to a “Jewish, democratic, egalitarian, liberal, and secure Israel.”

The coming weeks will undoubtedly prove pivotal as Eisenkot attempts to forge a new government, marking a potential turning point in Israel’s political trajectory.

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