Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to formally grant Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar Party, the mandate to form Israel’s next government on Sunday, following parliamentary elections that have significantly reshaped the country’s political landscape.

The move comes ahead of the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected Knesset members on Tuesday. Reports in Israeli media indicate that leaders of the Change Bloc are also close to reaching an agreement on the selection of the next Speaker of the Knesset, an important step in the process of establishing a new governing coalition.

According to reports, the Arab party Ra’am is expected to support an Eisenkot-led government. A senior party figure reportedly confirmed that the eight-seat faction would back the proposed coalition, strengthening Eisenkot’s efforts to secure a parliamentary majority.

The Joint List, the other Arab-led grouping in the Knesset, is not expected to vote in favour of Eisenkot. However, its members are also not expected to work against the Change Bloc, with abstentions likely during key votes. Such a position could prove significant in allowing a new coalition to take shape.

Following a meeting with President Herzog, Eisenkot stressed the importance of national unity and the challenges facing the country. He stated: “Now is the time to form a national emergency government. I will do everything to ensure we are worthy.”

His Change Bloc partner, Yair Golan, said the alliance remained determined to prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from returning to power. Golan argued that Netanyahu had recognised that political momentum was moving towards a new coalition and accused the long-serving prime minister of attempting to undermine the emerging alliance.

“Netanyahu understands that this time he is out. He sees the change government taking shape, and he is afraid. After years of inciting, dividing, pitting people against one another and trying to delegitimise the change bloc, he suddenly remembers unity.

This is political panic. A survival attempt by someone who understands that his rule is coming to an end. We will not let him sabotage this opportunity too. We will form a government that will dismantle Hamas rule, restore security to Israel’s citizens, strengthen democracy, investigate the worst disaster in the country’s history and begin to repair everything Netanyahu has destroyed. Israel needs leadership and responsibility, a real government of change,” Golan said.

A former Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defence Forces, Eisenkot emerged as the leading figure of the centrist Yashar bloc during the election campaign. He will now have up to six weeks under Israeli law to negotiate with potential coalition partners and assemble a majority government capable of replacing Netanyahu.

Eisenkot received endorsements amounting to 67 Knesset seats. These include the Jewish-led opposition bloc with 48 seats, comprising Yashar, Together, The Democrats and Yisrael Beiteinu, alongside Ra’am’s eight seats and the Joint List’s 11 seats.

Netanyahu secured endorsements representing 46 seats. This total is below the 53 seats won collectively by his right-wing bloc in the election after United Torah Judaism, which holds seven seats, declined to endorse him and instead abstained.

The developments point to a potentially decisive shift in Israeli politics, with coalition negotiations expected to intensify in the coming weeks as Eisenkot attempts to translate his parliamentary backing into a functioning government and bring an end to Netanyahu’s lengthy period in office.

ANI