Long ruling Benjamin Netanyahu is almost getting dislodged from Israel’s top office by election challenger Gadi Eisenkot.
Gadi Eisenkot will get the first attempt at forming a new government, putting him a step closer to flushing out Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Gadi Eisenkot is a former General in the Israel Army. He secured more support from the incoming Knesset than current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but not enough to secure a majority.
President Isaac Herzog announced Saturday evening that he would task Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel’s next government.
Eisenkot will formally receive the mandate at a ceremony at the President’s Residence on Sunday at 5 p.m.
He will then have 28 days to form a government, with Herzog authorized to grant him an extension of up to 14 days if necessary.
If he fails, Netanyahu could next be given the chance to do so.
Eisenkot said in a post on X that “now is the time for the formation of a national emergency government,” adding: “I will do everything to make us worthy.”
Gadi Eisenkot . Who is He?
Gen. Gadi was born 19 May 1960.
He served from 2015 to 2019 as the 21st chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and from 2023 to 2024 as a minister without portfolio in Israel’s unity government.
He is also the leader of the Yashar party.
He led Yashar in the 2026 Israeli legislative election as the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He is now the Prime Minister Elect of Israel starting from 8 November 2026.
