Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday formally tasked Yashar party leader and ex-IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, 66, with forming the country's 38th government, ending Benjamin Netanyahu's 3-year hold and setting up a high-wire coalition attempt.
At the mandate-conferral ceremony at President's Residence in West Jerusalem, Herzog said Iran threats "must be dealt with immediately" and Israel "must move forward" with Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza, plus talks with Lebanon and regional neighbours.
Eisenkot received 67 recommendations vs 46 for Netanyahu and 7 abstentions after Oct 27 elections fractured Knesset. Netanyahu's Likud remains largest with 27 seats, but his religious-nationalist bloc has only 53, 8 short of 61 majority. Eisenkot's Change Bloc — Yashar, Beyachad (Bennett-Lapid), Yisrael Beiteinu (Liberman), The Democrats — holds 48. The remaining 19 endorsements come from Arab-led Ra'am and Joint List, who are kingmakers.
At ceremony, Eisenkot warned Israel is in "state of emergency, approaching a point of no return" and faces "serious political and diplomatic crisis" with even closest allies reassessing ties.
He laid down four conditions for his national emergency government: recognition of Israel as Jewish, democratic, liberal and egalitarian state; acceptance of Declaration of Independence values; mandatory military/national service for all — direct hit at Haredi exemption; and recognising Hamas as terrorist organisation and committing to destroying its military and governing capabilities.
"Any party willing to recognise Hamas as terrorist organisation and commit to destroying its military and governing capabilities could be a partner," Yashar leader said — opening door to Likud and Religious Zionism's Smotrich, but excluding Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power.
Netanyahu hit back Saturday, calling Arab-supported government "government with terrorism supporters" and pushing Zionist unity government instead.
Eisenkot's Gaza line mirrors Trump: he accepts 20-point framework providing technocratic Palestinian administration, International Stabilization Force, and phased IDF withdrawal after Hamas disarmament within 18 months. "We have two options: 20 points of President Trump, or to use force," he told Time.
Legally, he has 28 days, extendable by 14, to present government. If fails, mandate passes to Netanyahu for 28 days. Plan is minority government of 48, with Ra'am outside support on key votes — model that felled Bennett-Lapid in 2022.
For India, Eisenkot matters — former Northern Command chief who authored Dahiya doctrine of overwhelming force against Hezbollah, joined war cabinet after Oct 7. A centrist ex-general could stabilize Israel ties, advance Gaza deal and Saudi normalization paused under Netanyahu.
But 67 recommendations are not 61 seats. As Herzog warned, mutual vetoes remain.
*Tags:* #GadiEisenkot #IsaacHerzog #Israel #Yashar #Netanyahu #Gaza #20PointPlan #Hamas #Knesset #Trump