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The leader of the opposition bloc to outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot, will be officially instructed on Sunday to form the next Israeli government, said Saturday night the presidency.
The Israeli presidency announced Saturday night that it would choose Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main rival, to try to form a new government. This decision comes after a parliamentary election without a clear outcome, which did not allow either of the two men to win an absolute majority.
Israel's President has instructed Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main opponent, on Saturday to try to form a new government. This mission, which will be officially entrusted by President Isaac Herzog on Sunday, will be difficult: the 66-year-old former general will indeed have the heavy task of rallying a minimum of 61 deputies in a fractured political landscape, like the country. The details of Stéphane Amar, France 24 correspondent in Jerusalem.
Bethsabee Salem, our Tel Aviv correspondent, analyses the situation.
Centrist Gadi Eisenkot, an opponent of Benjamin Netanyahu, reported on Friday on "important progress" in the discussions to form the next Israeli government after the general elections. The day before, he had announced that he had obtained the well-known support of the main Arab list.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will announce on Sunday the name of the one who will be in charge of forming a government, following very tight legislation and consultations with the various parties this week.
The Israeli president will announce on Sunday that he will be responsible for forming the next government, with the centrist Gadi Eisenkot appearing in a position of strength thanks to the support of the Arab parties against outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Neyanyahu.
The centrist Gadi Eisenkot, rival of Benjamin Netanyahu, appears on Thursday in a good position to be charged with forming the next Israeli government, after obtaining the support of the main Arab list and while the outgoing Prime Minister lost the support of an ultra-Orthodox key ally.
Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main rival, pledged Wednesday, November 4, to "renew and strengthen relations" with the United States if he became head of government following the negotiations initiated following the legislative elections in Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu's camp increased its attacks on Israeli Arab parties on Thursday, on the way to obtaining a high number of seats in the Knesset after Tuesday's parliamentary elections. He accuses them of having received funds from abroad. President Isaac Herzog called on him not to stigmatize the entire Israeli Arab vote.
The results of the legislative elections in Israel are being reviewed. Very important elections, as they are the first since Hamas attacks on October 7. Tonight, none of the two blocks get the majority: neither Benyamin Netanyahu nor Gadi Eisenkot's.
The Israeli legislative elections are scrutinized by Lebanon, for whom the future depends on the new government. Final election results are expected by October 30 and will be officially announced on November 4. These were the first elections held since the October 7 attack, leading the Hebrew state to trigger wars called "crime against humanity" by the UN. The explanations of Serge Berberi, correspondent France 24 in Beirut.
The lines are still moving in Israel, where almost 80 per cent of the ballot papers were stripped on Wednesday, 28 October. At this time, Netanyahu's Likud and his right-wing allies are in the lead, but not enough to form a majority. The opposition gathers behind Gadi Eisenkot comes behind with the possibility of alliance of the Arab party that achieves a breakthrough during these elections.
In Israel, the turnout in the parliamentary elections on Tuesday, 27 October, had not been at the highest since 1999. President Isaac Herzog urged political parties on Wednesday 28 October to "do everything" to form a government coalition and thus avoid a new election, despite the absence of a clear majority in the aftermath of the legislative elections. Alain Dieckhoff, sociologist and research director at the CERI of Sciences Po.
Will Benjamin Netanyahu manage to stay in power? As expected, the first results of the parliamentary elections are very tight between the outgoing Prime Minister and Gadi Eisenkot – while Benjamin Netanyahu's security record since the attacks of 7 October 2023 and his judicial reform are strongly contested. Beyond the fate of the Prime Minister, it is the democratic future of the country, the place of the far right and the prospects for coexistence with the Palestinians that are playing out.
After the general elections, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will have the task of designating the personality that will form the next government. A crucial role for this discreet politician. While no clear majority stands out at the moment, he urged political parties on Wednesday to "do everything" to form a government coalition and thus avoid a new election.
In Israel, one of the surprises of the legislative election, marked by a strong participation of 77.7%, is the breakthrough of the parties representing the Arab minority, who campaigned against the Prime Minister and his far right allies.
In the aftermath of the Israeli legislative elections, the two Israeli Arab lists are on their way to winning a record number of seats in the Knesset on Wednesday. While no bloc seems able to obtain the absolute majority alone, the support of the Arab parties appears to be the only option of the opposition to bring down Benjamin Netanyahu.
Press coverage this Tuesday, 28 October: the Israeli legislative elections in the local press, the breakthrough of Arab lists in the election, reports in Hebron (in the West Bank), and the disgrace of Kylian Mbappé.
