Herzog to task candidate with forming Israeli government on Sunday

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced Thursday he will task one of the Knesset members with forming the next government on Sunday, November 8, following the conclusion of his consultations with elected parliamentary blocs. He stated that the number of parliamentary recommendations alone does not determine who will be tasked. Consultation results showed opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot received recommendations from blocs totaling 67 lawmakers, compared to 46 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Eisenkot faces difficulties forming a coalition due to disagreements among the parties that recommended him, including Yisrael Beiteinu's refusal to join a government relying on parties that do not declare Hamas a terrorist organization. Under Israeli law, the designated Knesset member has 28 days to form a government, extendable by 14 days. The United Torah Judaism party abstained from recommending any candidate amid disputes with Netanyahu over military service exemptions for religious students.