Israel: Eisenkot officially tasked with forming a government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with the right of trying to form a government. The opposition leader's way to replacing Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister is full of political challenges. Eisenkot, the head of the centrist Yashar party, will have 28 days to secure a coalition to replace current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's religious-nationalist government, with Herzog having the authority to prolong Eisenkot's mandate by 14 days.

"The conversations with the different parties were open and transparent, while also resurfacing the many voices in Israeli society. They reminded us the fact that all Israeli citizens have an equal voice, from all parts of society," Herzog said. He stressed that Eisenkot received the clearest support from the majority of Knesset members when it comes to the question of forming the next government.

"The challenges we face are giant. Iran is not waiting a second in its threats.