STORY: Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday (November 8), officially tasked former military chief, premier candidate Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country's next government, following consultations with members of parliament.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, Herzog said Eisenkot had secured the backing of a majority of lawmakers in the 120-seat Knesset.

Herzog expressed hope that the incoming administration would foster "unity, connection, and healing among all parts of the people."

Formally accepting the mandate, Eisenkot called for the swift formation of a broad, national emergency government to lead the country, warning against protracted political deadlock.

"Israel does not have the luxury of dragging out the process or returning to endless rounds of elections." Eisenkot said. Eisenkot emphasized the high stakes facing the political establishment, warning that the public would not tolerate obstruction for narrow interests.

"The public is looking to us. This is a defining test of leadership," Eisenkot said.

Eisenkot's possible paths to forming a government include forming a narrow government or cooperating with political rivals whose stands he had rejected in the past.

Weeks of protracted negotiations are expected to follow Eisenkot's nomination. He has 28 days to try to forge a government, with a possible 14-day extension. If he fails, Herzog is likely to hand the mandate to Netanyahu.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. ISRAELI PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG AND PREMIER CANDIDATE GADI EISENKOT WALK INTO ROOM

2. HERZOG AND EISENKOT AT PODIUM, REPORTERS

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (GPO - Access all)

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG, SAYING:

"And after consultations I held with various officials over the past few days, it has become clear that Mr. Eisenkot has received the distinct and unequivocal support of a majority of Knesset members in response to the central question: who is most likely to form the next government that will win the confidence of the Knesset?"

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

4. GADI EISENKOT

5. CAMERA CREWS, REPORTERS

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (GPO - Access all)

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG, SAYING:

"I wholeheartedly hope that whichever government is formed will lead to unity, connection, and healing among all parts of the people, for this is a matter of vital importance to us. We have only one state, and I will be ready to assist at any time in pursuit of this goal."

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

7. VIEW OF MOBILE PHONE SCREEN RECORDING HERZOG AND EISENKOT AT PODIUM

8. HERZOG AND EISENKOT AT PODIUM

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (GPO - Access all)

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG, SAYING:

"Mr. Gadi Eisenkot, I hereby entrust you with the task of forming a government. Accordingly, it is my honour to present you with the mandate to establish a government in Israel. I wish you great success in this mission. Thank you very much."

10. HERZOG HANDING EISENKOT THE MANDATE, POSING FOR PHOTOS

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

11. HERZOG HANDING EISENKOT HOLDING THE MANDATE, POSING FOR PHOTOS, SHAKING HANDS

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (GPO - Access all)

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) PREMIER CANDIDATE GADI EISENKOT, SAYING:

"There is a great urgency for new leadership, leadership that people can look in the eye and trust, knowing that its considerations will always be guided by what is best for Israel and Israel’s security."

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

13. REPORTERS, HERZOG AND EISENKOT AT PODIUM

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (GPO - Access all)

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) PREMIER CANDIDATE GADI EISENKOT, SAYING:

"With the mandate entrusted to me here today, I will lead the formation of a national emergency government. This will require creative and unconventional political steps. Israel does not have the luxury of dragging out the process or returning to endless rounds of elections."

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

15. HERZOG AND EISENKOT AT PODIUM

16. PODIUM

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (GPO - Access all)

17. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) PREMIER CANDIDATE GADI EISENKOT, SAYING:

"I am convinced that it is both possible and right to quickly establish a new government that enjoys a broad majority in the Knesset."

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

18. HERZOG AND EISENKOT AT PODIUM / EISENKOT

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (GPO - Access all)

19. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) PREMIER CANDIDATE GADI EISENKOT, SAYING:

"The public is looking to us. This is a defining test of leadership. Anyone who attempts to sabotage the formation of this government for personal rather than substantive reasons will be remembered in history as someone who failed to save Israel in a time of emergency."

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

20. REPORTERS SITTING ON FLOOR

21. HERZOG

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (GPO - Access all)

22. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) PREMIER CANDIDATE GADI EISENKOT, SAYING:

"Israel needs new leadership as urgently as it needs air to breathe. Israel needs a new government. Israel needs leadership that will uphold what unites us and pave the way toward a new era."

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

23. CAMERA CREWS

JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 8, 2026) (GPO - Access all)

24. EISENKOT AND HERZOG SHAKING HANDS, POSING FOR PHOTOS

25. HERZOG AND EISENKOT LEAVING ROOM

26. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF HERZOG AND EISENKOT TALKING

27. (MUTE) EISENKOT SIGNING HE AGREES TO RECEIVE THE MANDATE

28. (MUTE) HERZOG SIGNING THE MANDATE

29. (MUTE) HERZOG SHOWING THE MANDATE TO THE CAMERAS

30. (MUTE) HERZOG AND EISENKOT SHAKING HANDS

31. (MUTE) HERZOG AND EISENKOT