Eisenkot secures 67 recommendations against Netanyahu’s 46 in Israel
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Trust
Benjamin Netanyahu secured 46 recommendations in Israel’s parliament, compared with 67 for Gadi Eisenkot, who was tasked with forming the government. The balance leaves Eisenkot short of the 61-seat majority, while the blocs remain divided, according to Daily Trust.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog gave Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israeli military, the mandate to form a government after consultations in which 67 Knesset lawmakers recommended him, compared with 46 for Benjamin Netanyahu. Seven lawmakers recommended neither candidate, according to Daily Trust.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc has 53 seats from the October 27 election, while the Jewish opposition parties aligned behind Gadi Eisenkot hold 48. Arab-led parties won 19 seats, with no clear majority in the 120-member Knesset. Forming a government normally requires the support of at least 61 lawmakers, according to Daily Trust.
Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israeli military, is proposing the formation of a national emergency government. Negotiations will have to enable him to assemble a coalition capable of securing the parliamentary majority needed to govern, according to Daily Trust.
