Israel's political shake-up enters new phase as former PM plays kingmaker — and deadline looms

Résumé détaillé

Benjamin Netanyahu called for unity, but Gadi Eisenkot canceled Likud talks after calling the outgoing prime minister's speech "delusional."

With final election results leaving both major blocs short of a majority, Fox News Digital reporter Efrat Lachter reports from Israel on the negotiations that could determine the country's next government.

Israel's newly elected parliament was sworn in Tuesday, marking the beginning of a political transition that could end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long tenure in power. Despite the opposition's parliamentary gains, the country remains without a new government, and negotiations to form one face significant obstacles.

At the center of those negotiations is former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who was tasked by President Isaac Herzog on Sunday with assembling Israel's next governing coalition after 67 lawmakers recommended him for the position, compared with 46 who supported Netanyahu.

Although Eisenkot's Yashar party won 21 seats in the Oct. 27 election, he is working closely with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, whose B'Yachad party, formed with former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, secured another 12 seats.

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Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and other Israeli officials pose for a photo on the day of the inauguration of Israel's 26th parliament, at the Knesset in Jerusalem, Nov. 10, 2026. (Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)

The two parties have not merged, but their cooperation effectively gives Eisenkot the negotiating backing of 33 lawmakers — more than Netanyahu's Likud, which remains the largest individual party in the Knesset with 27 seats.

A source with knowledge of discussions within the bloc seeking to replace Netanyahu told Fox News Digital that Bennett has decided to act as a political kingmaker, supporting Eisenkot's leadership bid rather than seeking the premiership himself.

Bennett intends to coordinate closely with Eisenkot throughout the negotiations while preserving his party's independent…

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