Israel’s 26th Knesset is set to hold its inaugural session on Tuesday at 4 p.m., when all 120 lawmakers will be sworn in by President Isaac Herzog. Herzog announced that political factions representing 67 lawmakers have recommended Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government, while 46 have backed current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. JNS reports that Herzog completed his consultations this week and is expected to assign the task of forming a new government as soon as Sunday.
Herzog said he would use the period before Sunday to speak directly with party leaders and explore whether the political deadlock could be overcome.
“I intend to task a member of Knesset with forming the government this coming Sunday,” he said.
“In these talks, I intend to leave no stone unturned in an effort to reach out and build a stable and good government for the people of Israel.”
The lawmaker who receives the mandate will have 28 days to form a government, with the president empowered to grant an extension of up to 14 additional days.
Herzog began consultations after receiving the election results following the October 27 vote. The president spoke with representatives from each political bloc and described the discussions as open, candid, and probing. He also said he urged party leaders to move beyond established political divisions and explore opportunities for collaboration in forming the next government.
The election results gave Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc 53 seats, while parties opposed to him secured 48 seats and Arab parties won 19. The 67 recommendations for Eisenkot include support from these parties, although political divisions and mutual vetoes between and within the blocs could complicate efforts to turn those recommendations into a governing majority.
As Israel prepares for the formation of its next government, The Fellowship and our supporters pray that its leaders will be guided by wisdom and a commitment to the Holy Land, ushering in shalom, peace.