Eisenkot Gets Mandate, Invites Netanyahu Allies
Israel's president formally gave Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form a government; he invited Likud to join.
November 8, 2026 · Updated Nov 8, 1:30pm ET
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46%
Left · 10
9%
Center · 2
45%
Right · 10
Pano rates the coverage Balanced.
What happened
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally gave opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot
Gadi EisenkotIsraeli military officer the first chance to form the next government on Sunday, after an election left neither bloc with a majority. - At the ceremony, Eisenkot invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s far-right party to join a government under his leadership, saying, “My door is open and my hand is extended.”
- Eisenkot’s bloc won 48 of parliament’s 120 seats and needs 61; his options include a deal with Netanyahu, support from Arab-led parties or an alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties.
- Avigdor Liberman
Avigdor LiebermanIsraeli politician, member of the Knesset backed a government joining Eisenkot’s bloc with the ultra-Orthodox United Torah JudaismUnited Torah JudaismAlliance of Agudat Israel and Degel HaTorah, two Israeli Haredi parties, formed in 1992 party, but members of the bloc campaigned for a strict military draft law that ultra-Orthodox parties oppose. - Eisenkot has 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension, and Netanyahu could get another chance if the talks fail.
How the left told it
Left-leaning outlets framed Eisenkot’s opportunity as a setback for Netanyahu while emphasizing the difficulty of building a coalition. HuffPost called it a “step closer to ousting” Netanyahu, while Al Jazeera highlighted opposition parties’ conflicting positions on security, religion and the occupation of Palestinian territory.
How the right told it
Right-leaning outlets portrayed Eisenkot’s opportunity as a threat to Netanyahu but stressed the coalition hurdles. Fox News highlighted “deep disagreements” among potential partners, while the Christian Post explored a possible ultra-Orthodox alliance, noting that Liberman’s support left other partners’ agreement and a parliamentary majority unresolved.
Israeli Election Impasse
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Nov 8Eisenkot Gets Mandate, Invites Netanyahu Allies (this story)Balanced
- Nov 7Gadi Eisenkot Tapped To Form GovernmentBalanced
- Nov 4Israel Certifies Election ResultsBalanced
- Oct 30Benjamin Netanyahu’s Party Claims Election StolenLeans Left
- Oct 29Israel’s Arab Parties Win Record SeatsBalanced
