Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu

Gadi Eisenkot ran as the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — neither won a clear majority. Israel's main parties have recommended Eisenkot put together a new government.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5616x3744+0+0/resize/5616x3744!/quality/85/format/webp/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcf%2F77%2F67a1bd07484b844a6a8d15b90a17%2Fap26301008182475.jpg' alt='Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar ("Straight") party, waves an Israeli flag onstage following the release of the first exit poll results in Israel's general election in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026.'/><p>Gadi Eisenkot ran as the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — neither won a clear majority. Israel's main parties have recommended Eisenkot put together a new government.</p><p>(Image credit: Ariel Schalit)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=g-s1-152536' />