Israeli President Isaac Herzog gave opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form a coalition after the October 27 election.
The big picture: Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, is one step closer to replacing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel's president asked him to build the next government.
- Eisenkot has up to six weeks to assemble a coalition in a parliament where neither his bloc nor Netanyahu's allies won a majority.
- Most of Israel's main parties recommended Eisenkot during consultations with President Isaac Herzog this week, according to the Associated Press.
Between the lines: His possible routes are politically difficult. Eisenkot could pursue a broad unity government with major Jewish parties or seek outside support from Arab-led parties for a minority government.
- Netanyahu and Eisenkot differ over military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men and whether to launch a formal investigation into the security failures surrounding the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.
What they're saying: Eisenkot called for a national emergency government and wrote that he would do everything possible to prove his bloc worthy.
Why it matters: A change in Israeli leadership would reshape decisions on regional wars, Gaza and ties with Washington. The coalition math will also determine whether the election produces a durable government or another vote.
