Joint List to Recommend Eisenkot to Form Israel’s Government

The Joint List said Thursday it would recommend opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog to form Israel’s next government, strengthening Eisenkot’s position as Herzog consults party representatives after the October 27 election. The recommendation does not itself appoint Eisenkot or establish that he can assemble a governing coalition. The alliance said it would formally present its decision to Herzog on Thursday evening, November 5. It holds 11 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Raam, another Arab-led party, has eight seats and has also said it would recommend Eisenkot, bringing the two parties’ combined representation to 19 seats, described in reports as a record for Arab-led parties in parliament. With those recommendations, Eisenkot could have the backing of 67 lawmakers, above the 61 needed for a Knesset majority. That figure reflects expected support in the consultations, not a confirmed coalition. The sources describe the recommendations and party blocs at different stages, so the total should not be read as proof that 67 lawmakers will support a government led by Eisenkot. United Torah Judaism, which holds seven seats and has traditionally backed...