Israeli President Backs Eisenkot for Government as Knesset Tests Fragile Alliance

Israeli President Isaac Herzog concluded two days of consultations with political parties, with 67 lawmakers recommending former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to form a new government, compared to 46 for Benjamin Netanyahu. The outcome points toward a minority government, though the president retains discretion in assigning the mandate. The United List of three Arab parties announced external support for Eisenkot, calling it "a choice between evil and lesser evil," while opposing his conditions including recognition of a Jewish state and mandatory service. Ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism broke its traditional alliance with Netanyahu by endorsing no candidate, potentially favoring the Change Bloc. The opposition bloc seeks immediate control of the Knesset as a test of its fragile alliance, facing internal vetoes including from hawkish Liberman against Arab parties. Netanyahu has already begun campaigning, using the slogan "the vote stolen by terrorism supporters."