Israeli President appoints Gadi Eisenkot to build coalition government

President Isaac Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and former chief of staff of the Israeli Defence Forces, with assembling a government. Eisenkot has 28 days, extendable by 14 days, to secure a coalition before Herzog may invite another candidate, likely Benjamin Netanyahu, to try.

Eisenkot faces a fragmented Knesset and is expected to seek support from at least one ultra-Orthodox party, which has historically aligned with Netanyahu, as well as from Arab parties outside the government. Observers note that his style is less accustomed to the political maneuvering associated with Netanyahu.

Aida Touma-Sliman, a Knesset member from the Hadash party, said Eisenkot appears more willing to compromise with ultra-Orthodox parties on conscription law than to rely on Arab voters.

"He seems very military in his bearing, very steady and a man you don’t always know what he’s thinking," said Yossi Mekelberg, senior fellow at Chatham House.

Aaron David Miller, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, warned that Israel’s image in the United States is at a low point, citing the conflict that began on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli response. He added that Eisenkot will have to navigate a challenging U.S. environment.

Eisenkot, born in Tiberias to parents from Morocco, rose through the military ranks before entering politics. He served in the national unity government formed after the October 7 attacks and has personal losses from the Gaza conflict.

Human rights groups have previously raised concerns about operations overseen by Eisenkot during his military tenure, including allegations of violations of international law.