The Israeli opposition convenes to try to form a majority / Gadi Eisenkot is proposed as prime minister

The leaders of Israel’s main opposition bloc are meeting on Tuesday to try to form a parliamentary majority, following last week’s legislative elections, which did not give either side enough seats to govern. The opposition parties will propose Gadi Eisenkot for the position of prime minister.

Incumbent Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, while the opposition led by Eisenkot secured 48. The Arab lists achieved a record result, with 19 seats, and their support could be decisive in forming a majority.

There are, however, divisions within the opposition. Left-wing leader Yair Golan supports an alliance with the Arab parties, while right-wing leader Avigdor Liberman strongly opposes it. The Yashar party, led by Eisenkot, does not explicitly rule out this option, while the center-right Beyachad alliance has no clear position.

President Isaac Herzog will consult the parties starting Wednesday afternoon and continuing through Thursday evening. He must designate a candidate by November 11. The nominee will have 28 days to form the government, with the possibility of a 14-day extension. If the negotiations fail, there may be a new mandate for another candidate, the dissolution of the Knesset, and elections held within 90 days.