Netanyahu or Eisenkot: Decision day approaching in Israel

Israeli President Isaac Herzog will announce on Sunday, 8 November, whom he will task with forming a government, following consultations with parliamentary factions after the 27 October general election. During those talks, 67 lawmakers backed opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot while 46 supported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the report. The president’s decision marks the next stage in coalition negotiations and will determine who gets the first chance to assemble a majority in parliament. The endorsement split gives Eisenkot a numerical edge among lawmakers, though the mandate decision rests with Herzog. What to watch next is the formal announcement and whether the chosen candidate can secure the 61 seats needed for a governing coalition.