Netanyahu faces possible exit as Israeli rival Gadi Eisenkot secures majority support
Babushahi Bureau
Tel Aviv, November 6, 2026: Former Israeli military chief and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has secured the backing of 67 members of the 120-member Knesset to form the next government, putting him ahead of incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who received 46 recommendations.
Seven lawmakers abstained during the post-election consultations held by President Isaac Herzog, who is expected to announce on Sunday which member of parliament will be given the task of forming the next government.
The development marks a significant setback for Netanyahu, whose Likud party emerged as the single largest party in the October 27 elections with 27 seats. However, his wider religious-nationalist coalition secured only 53 seats, falling short of the 61 required for a parliamentary majority.
Eisenkot's alliance of four Jewish-led parties secured 48 seats. His tally of 67 recommendations was boosted by the backing of two parties representing Israel's Arab minority, which together won 19 seats in the election.
The support has created a complicated political situation, as Eisenkot, like Netanyahu, has so far ruled out forming a government with the Arab-led parties despite receiving their recommendations.
Netanyahu's longtime ally withholds support
Netanyahu also suffered a setback when United Torah Judaism (UTJ), a longstanding coalition partner and one of the main parties representing ultra-Orthodox Jewish voters, declined to recommend either candidate during consultations with Herzog.