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# Eisenkot gets 67 recommendations in Israel as president weighs who forms government
- URL: https://newsanek.com/eisenkot-israel-government-arab-lists-backing/
- Published: 2026-11-07T03:33:02.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-07T04:20:18.000Z
- Description: President Isaac Herzog has not yet given the mandate to either leader. He has said he will decide by Sunday, November 8.
- Author: Kumar Ujjwal
- Tags: World, #sub-international, #trending, #trending-world, #running

Israel's election race has taken a sharp turn.

Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot now has recommendations from 67 lawmakers, more than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel held its parliamentary elections on October 27.

Neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot won the 61-seat majority needed in the 120-member Knesset, which is Israel's parliament.

So President Isaac Herzog has been holding consultations to decide who gets the chance to form the government.

The talks were held on Thursday, November 5, at the President's Residence.

Key dates in Israel's government formation race

1. **October 27**Israel held its parliamentary elections, and neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot won the 61-seat majority.
2. **November 5**President Isaac Herzog held consultations at the President's Residence to decide who gets the chance to form the government.
3. **November 8**Herzog has said he will name one leader to form the government by this Sunday.

Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report

### Key points

- Eisenkot received recommendations from 67 lawmakers during consultations with President Herzog.
- Netanyahu received 46 recommendations, according to Times Now.
- Many of Eisenkot's backers have not yet committed to joining his coalition.
- Herzog says he will name a leader by Sunday, November 8.

## Why did the numbers shift toward Eisenkot?

The Arab-led Joint List decided to recommend Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party.

Its chairman, Yousef Jabareen, said the aim was to stop Netanyahu and his right-wing allies from returning to power.

Jabareen also admitted that the party has disagreements with Eisenkot.

Still, he said the decision was needed to bring a change in government.

Times Now reported that 48 lawmakers came from the Jewish opposition bloc.

Arab party Ra'am gave eight recommendations, and the Joint List added 11.

Netanyahu's count fell to 46, down from the 53 seats his bloc was expected to command.

The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, which holds seven seats, refused to recommend either leader.

## Is Eisenkot's lead enough to form a government?

Not yet, and the reports differ on the details. Times Now described Eisenkot as having 67 recommendations.

Hindustan Times reported that he reaches 67 only if all the supporting parties agree.

Times Now, citing The Times of Israel, said only 48 of the 67 are ready to work together without conditions.

The Joint List will support a government from outside, but it will not formally join.

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman has doubts about depending on Arab parties.

Differences over military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men could also complicate talks with United Torah Judaism.

## What happens next, and what about the fraud claims?

Herzog has said he will name one leader by Sunday, November 8.

He plans to meet party heads privately over the weekend, Hindustan Times reported.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu's camp continues to allege voter fraud and foreign funding.

Israel's Central Election Committee has denied voter fraud and foreign interference in the October 27 vote.

The head of Shin Bet, Israel's top security agency, compared the alleged interference to the security failure before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

Hindustan Times reported this.

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### Sources

- [Times Now: Eisenkot Has The Numbers, But Can He Form Israel's Next Government?](https://www.timesnownews.com/world/middle-east/gadi-eisenkot-67-lawmakers-backing-benjamin-netanyahu-46-israel-government-article-156473063?ref=newsanek.com)
- [Hindustan Times: Odds against Netanyahu as Arab parties back Eisenkot as Israel PM; Shin Bet continues voter fraud probe](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/odds-against-netanyahu-as-arab-parties-back-eisenkot-as-israel-pm-shin-bet-continues-voter-fraud-probe-101793946352674.html?ref=newsanek.com)