Jakarta, ThedailyID — Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has invited members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition to join a government he hopes to lead.
The invitation came after President Isaac Herzog formally tasked Eisenkot with forming Israel’s next government on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
During his speech after receiving the mandate, Eisenkot directly appealed to members of Netanyahu’s Likud party and the far-right Religious Zionism party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
“My door is open and my hand is extended, wholeheartedly and willingly, to anyone who understands the gravity of this moment,” Eisenkot said, as quoted by The Guardian.
Eisenkot described Israel as being in a state of emergency. He argued that the country needed a national emergency government to address its challenges.
“This will require creative and unconventional political steps,” he added.
The Yashar party leader also pointed to Israel’s growing diplomatic difficulties. He described the situation as a severe diplomatic crisis linked to the country’s international relations and recent conflicts.
“Even our closest friends and strategic allies are saying that their relations with Israel must be reassessed,” Eisenkot said.
However, forming a government will not be easy. His political bloc holds 48 seats in the Knesset, while Netanyahu’s bloc has 53. Arab parties secured a combined 19 seats.
None of the blocs has the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority.
Political analysts have outlined three possible paths for Eisenkot: a power-sharing arrangement involving Netanyahu’s camp, support from Arab parties, or an agreement with ultra-Orthodox parties.
Each option presents significant challenges. Eisenkot wants to serve as prime minister, which complicates any arrangement involving Netanyahu. Meanwhile, cooperation with Arab parties could face resistance within his own bloc.
An agreement with ultra-Orthodox parties could also require renewed negotiations over military service exemptions.
Eisenkot now faces a difficult task as he works to secure enough parliamentary support to form a government.
