Eisenkot open to Netanyahu joining Israel’s next government

Eisenkot, who ran as Netanyahu's main rival, has six weeks to form a new government. At the ceremony in Jerusalem, he pledged to act in the public interest and represent all parts of Israeli society.

Unity government possibility

In a speech at Sunday's ceremony, Eisenkot suggested he was open to including Netanyahu and his far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in his coalition lineup. "If members of Likud and the Religious Zionist Party truly believe this is a time for unity, as they told the president, I cannot conceive of any reason why they would not support a government under my leadership," Eisenkot said.

Political challenges ahead

Herzog warned that Israel faces uncertainties after the November 3 US midterm elections, which brought victories for several political figures critical of Israel and US military support. "The State of Israel needs a stable government," Herzog said, pointing to the "new political reality" in the US.

Despite Eisenkot's military background and his role in Netanyahu's war cabinet, Arab-led parties endorsed him for the mandate. Eisenkot has ruled out forming a government with these parties, which would have given him a 67-seat bloc. Instead, he's seeking support from ultra-Orthodox parties to reach exactly 61 seats.

Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister while Eisenkot attempts to form a government. Netanyahu still has time to derail Eisenkot's efforts and sabotage attempts to gain a vote of confidence, said Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh. "If Eisenkot fails, Netanyahu would be the natural second in line to be tasked with forming a government."