Herzog Gives Eisenkot 28-Day Mandate to Form Israeli Coalition
On 9 November, President Isaac Herzog gave former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot a 28-day mandate to form a governing coalition in Israel, noting the fragmented Knesset and regional tensions. The mandate followed Eisenkot’s initial appointment on 3 November after the election left no clear majority. Early talks saw Shas signal openness to negotiations while United Torah Judaism weighed abstention.
Avigdor Liberman then lifted his veto on ultra-Orthodox parties, later indicating willingness to relax the universal conscription demand and setting conditions for a flexible haredi draft law. His shift helped soften the ultra-Orthodox stance, prompting reports of progress in coalition talks. Netanyahu later expressed openness to a unity government, and former prime minister Naftali Bennett remained silent on the draft issue as negotiations continued.