Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 09:56am on 08 Nov 2026,Sunday International
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new coalition government after last week's election left parliament divided. Eisenkot, a former military chief, has 28 days to build a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Eisenkot's opposition bloc won 48. Two Arab-led alliances secured a combined 19 seats, potentially giving them a decisive role in government formation. Herzog said Eisenkot received 67 recommendations for the premiership, compared with Netanyahu's 46, giving him the first opportunity to form a government. (PC: BBC)
