Eisenkot leads Netanyahu in Israeli coalition talks; Herzog to decide Sunday

Former Israeli army chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the leading candidate to form the next government after receiving recommendations from 67 Knesset members, compared to 46 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Isaac Herzog will announce his decision on Sunday. Eisenkot's camp secured 48 seats before gaining support from the two Arab lists, which together won 19 seats in a historically high turnout. The United Torah Judaism party abstained from recommending Netanyahu despite backing him in five previous elections, focusing instead on military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox students. The designated candidate will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension. Eisenkot has not confirmed whether he will rely on Arab party support, as some allies like Avigdor Lieberman oppose cooperation with Arab factions.