Israel president taps Eisenkot to form government
The gist
Israeli President Isaac Herzog gave former military chief Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form a coalition.
Eisenkot's bloc holds 48 of 61 needed seats, so Netanyahu may get a turn.
How it unfolded
- Oct 27, 2026Israel held legislative elections for the 120-member Knesset; exit polls showed no party or bloc projected to secure a clear mandate.
- Oct 28, 2026Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, waved an Israeli flag onstage in Tel Aviv after the first exit poll results.
- Nov 4, 2026The final vote tally was due.
Key terms
- coalition
- A government formed by two or more political parties sharing executive power, usually when no party wins a majority.
- Knesset
- The unicameral legislature of Israel, with 120 seats.
- Likud
- A major right-wing political party in Israel, officially known as Likud – National Liberal Movement.
Source: Wikipedia