In a significant political development, the newly sworn-in Israeli parliament has set off a race among politicians to form a government and potentially oust caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gadi Eisenkot, the former army chief and opposition leader, has been given the first opportunity to construct a new administration following recommendations from more Knesset members than Netanyahu, although not all backing him are willing to govern together. The four-party bloc led by Eisenkot won 48 seats in October's election, leaving both blocs short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. He has 28 days to build a coalition, with a possible two-week extension.
The election result, perceived as a referendum on Netanyahu, casts doubt over who will form the next government, with Netanyahu remaining caretaker prime minister until then. The process could take from days to months. One of the most striking outcomes was the surge in seats won by Israel's two Arab-led alliances - the United Arab List and the Joint List - which together secured an unprecedented 19 seats following a rise in Arab voter turnout. These parties could hold the balance of power, although Netanyahu has ruled out governing with them, and three of the parties in Eisenkot's bloc have opposed including them in a coalition.
President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming a government on Sunday, appealing for the formation of a "national emergency government" to remove Netanyahu from office. To join his proposed government, Eisenkot has outlined four principles: recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state; accepting the values of the Declaration of Independence; backing mandatory military, national or civilian service for all; and recognising Hamas as a terrorist organisation and committing to dismantling its military and governing capabilities. However, these requirements could present significant obstacles to Eisenkot's potential partners, particularly on the issue of military conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, an election hot topic, and the Arab parties' stance towards Hamas. The United Torah Judaism and Shas parties, which won 13 seats in total, have strongly objected to attempts to change the status quo, while the Arab parties might help Eisenkot form a minority government but could demand major concessions in return. Avigdor Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beiteinu party won seven seats, has so far refused to join a minority government dependent on Arab MKs.