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Israel government formation LIVE: Bennett-led B’Yachad, Arab parties back Eisenkot in PM race in setback for Netanyahu
Israel government formation LIVE: On the second day of consultations with Herzog on Friday (November 6), Representatives of the B'Yachad (Together) party, led by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, endorsed Gadi Eisenkot to form the government.
- 2 Mins agoEisenkot faces coalition talks as Netanyahu remains caretaker PM
- 15 Mins agoHow do votes become seats?
- 27 Mins agoArab parties support Eisenkot despite coalition differences
- 30 Mins agoNetanyahu bid to PM uncertain; Eisenkot likely to be premier
- 1 Hr agoBennett-led B’Yachad backs Eisenkot in PM race; Netanyahu faces test
Israel government formation LIVE: Representatives of the B’Yachad (Together) party, led by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, on Friday endorsed Gadi Eisenkot, a key rival of incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to form the next government. The endorsement comes as Israeli President Isaac Herzog prepares to decide whom to task with forming the government on November 8....Read More
Incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bid to retain power remains uncertain, as he lacks the majority needed to form a government. His Opposition, Gadi Eisenkot, could emerge as the next Prime Minister as other parties have offered support, helping him reach the 61-seat majority required in the Knesset.
During consultations with political parties on Thursday, 67 members of the 120-seat Knesset backed Eisenkot, while 46 recommended Netanyahu. Seven lawmakers did not support either candidate, according to AFP.
However, Eisenkot still faces challenges in putting together a coalition that can command a majority in parliament. The backing of Arab-led parties has strengthened his position, but disagreements within the opposition could affect government formation.
“The results of the consultations may appear clear, but the authority vested in me by law is to determine who has the ability to form a government, and that is not entirely clear, given the mutual vetoes between the blocs and within the blocs themselves,” Herzog said on Thursday.
Under Israeli law, the candidate appointed by Herzog will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension of 14 days. If the attempt fails, the president can give another lawmaker the opportunity.
Netanyahu will remain prime minister until a new government is formed.
Israel Government Formation LIVE: Eisenkot faces coalition talks as Netanyahu remains caretaker PM
Israel Government Formation LIVE: Eisenkot's Yashar party called for a new national emergency government, saying voters had expressed a desire for political change. The party made the statement on Thursday, according to AFP.
However, the opposition will need to resolve its differences before it can put together a working coalition.
Under Israeli law, the candidate appointed by Herzog will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension of 14 days. If the attempt fails, the president can give another lawmaker the opportunity.
Netanyahu will remain prime minister until a new government is formed. Herzog has also urged political leaders to avoid another election and reach an agreement on the country's next administration.
The president is expected to announce his decision on Sunday, November 8.
Israel Government Formation LIVE | Understanding Israel elections: How do votes become seats?
Israel Government Formation LIVE: Israelis vote for parties, not candidates. Knesset seats are shared out by proportional representation among national party lists, so a party's share of seats follows its share of the national vote.
A party needs at least 3.25% of the national vote to win any seats. About a dozen parties were thought to have a chance of clearing that bar, according to Reuters, which is why the final tally and the allocation of seats take time. AFP reported that some smaller right-wing parties fell short of it.
Partial counts released through Wednesday show each party's share of the vote, but they do not show how many seats it will win. Seat totals depend on the full national tally.
Israel Government Formation LIVE: Arab parties support Eisenkot despite coalition differences
Israel Government Formation LIVE: Although Eisenkot received more recommendations, he still faces challenges in putting together a coalition that can command a majority in parliament.
The Joint List, which holds 11 seats, and the eight-member Ra'am party both recommended Eisenkot during their meetings with Herzog. Both parties announced their support on Thursday, AFP reported.
Their support brought his total recommendations to 67, above the 61 needed for a majority in the Knesset.
However, the recommendations do not guarantee that all 19 Arab lawmakers will join an Eisenkot-led government. The opposition remains divided over whether to include Arab parties in a future coalition.
Israel Government Formation LIVE: Netanyahu bid to becoPM uncertain; Eisenkot likely to be premier
Israel Government Formation LIVE: Incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bid to retain power remains uncertain, as he lacks the majority needed to form a government.
His Opposition, Gadi Eisenkot, could emerge as the next Prime Minister as other parties have offered support, helping him reach the 61-seat majority required in the Knesset.
Israel Government Formation LIVE: Bennett-led B’Yachad backs Eisenkot in PM race; Netanyahu faces test
Israel Government Formation LIVE: Representatives of the B’Yachad (Together) party, led by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, on Friday endorsed Gadi Eisenkot, a key rival of incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to form the next government.
The endorsement comes as Israeli President Isaac Herzog prepares to decide whom to task with forming the government on November 8.
