Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday formally tasked Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the centrist Yashar party, with forming a new government after the October 27 election left neither his bloc nor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a clear majority, France 24 reports.

Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a possible extension of up to 14 days. If he fails, Herzog may hand the mandate to another lawmaker — typically next in line would be Netanyahu.

In consultations at the presidential residence, Eisenkot received 67 recommendations for the premiership and Netanyahu 46 in the 120-seat Knesset, according to the president’s office as cited by BBC and Times of Israel. Arab parties Ra’am and the Joint List backed Eisenkot’s nomination without committing to join a coalition.

At the ceremony, Herzog said Israel needs a stable government for “giant challenges,” including Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan and talks with neighbours. He called for unity and “healing” among all parts of society.

Eisenkot spoke of a “national emergency government” and said “unconventional steps” would be required. He left the door open to Likud and Religious Zionist Party members if they accept his principles, and said he would invite all Knesset factions to talks.

Until a new cabinet wins a confidence vote, Netanyahu’s government stays on as caretaker. Building a majority remains hard: neither bloc left the election with a clear path to 61 seats.

Source: Israeli president officially tasks Eisenkot with forming government — France 24