Arab Parties Back Eisenkot for PM, With Conditions

Israeli President Isaac Herzog will announce Sunday whom he will task with forming a new government, after opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot received 67 recommendations from parliament members versus 46 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the October 27 election. Eisenkot's Yashar party called for an immediate national emergency government, citing public rejection of Netanyahu. Two Arab-majority lists, winning a record 19 seats, backed Eisenkot, but right-wing ally Israel Beiteinu refuses to govern with them, citing their failure to label Hamas a terrorist group. United Torah Judaism declined to recommend Netanyahu, though it may still join his government. Ultra-Orthodox parties seek to preserve military service exemptions, which Eisenkot opposes. Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 seats versus 48 for Eisenkot's, with Arab parties as potential kingmakers.