Blow for Netanyahu as opposition rival asked to form government by Israel's president

Israel's president has asked Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, Gadi Eisenkot, to try and form a government following a deadlocked election.

Mr Netanyahu is fighting to stay in office after his religious-nationalist coalition lost its majority in the 27 October election.

Opposition candidate Mr Eisenkot, a former military chief, ran as the main challenger, leading a bloc of parties seeking to oust Israel's longest-serving premier.

Neither Mr Eisenkot nor Mr Netanyahu won a clear majority in the vote, meaning a coalition will need to be formed.

A spokesperson for Isaac Herzog, whose largely ceremonial role involves nominating a candidate to form a coalition after elections, said on Saturday: "President Herzog has invited Gadi Eisenkot to the President's Residence, where he will be tasked with forming the government tomorrow."

Mr Eisenkot subsequently said on X: "Now is the time to form a national emergency government. I will do everything I can to ensure we are worthy."

Some 67 members of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, recommended that Mr Eisenkot be tasked with forming the next government, while 46 members recommended Mr Netanyahu have the first chance. Seven members chose not to recommend anyone, Mr Herzog's spokesperson said.

Mr Eisenkot, whose Yashar party is considered largely centrist, has three options when it comes to forming a government, experts suggest.

He can attempt to make a minority government with Arab support from the outside, form a coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties, or form a unity government with Mr Netanyahu.

Mr Eisenkot has in the past shunned both Arab and ultra-orthodox options, though Arab leaders, incensed by what they view as the racist policies of Mr Netanyahu and his far-right allies, still nominated him to try and form a government first.

He briefly served in Mr Netanyahu's wartime cabinet following Hamas' October 7 attack in 2023, but soon returned to the opposition, where he has publicly rebuked the prime minister over his leadership and sworn not to serve in a government with him again.

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The 66-year-old has 28 days to try to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension, but experts suggest it is unlikely he will be successful.

If he does fail, another candidate can try to form a government and if that candidate fails, parliament can nominate another. There is a deadline for the process of around 100 days, after which time another election is ​held.

(c) Sky News 2026: Blow for Netanyahu as opposition rival asked to form government by Israel's president