Meet Eisenkot, who could become Israel's new Prime Minister
Former military chief, centrist leader and Netanyahu's rival receives mandate from Herzog to form a government in Israel after electoral deadlock
TL;DR
- President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government in Israel.
- Eisenkot received 67 recommendations for the prime minister role, more than current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 46.
- The decision comes after an inconclusive election left no single party with a clear majority.
- Eisenkot, a former army chief, is the founder of the centrist Yashar party and a prominent opponent of Netanyahu.
- His political motivation is partly fueled by the death of his son, Sergeant Major Gal Eisenkot, in Gaza in December 2023.
- Eisenkot criticized Netanyahu's handling of the conflict and hostage situation, resigning from the war cabinet in June 2024.
- He has pledged to dismantle Hamas within 18 months and expressed skepticism about the two-state solution, advocating for Palestinian administrative autonomy in the West Bank.