📰 2 sources 8 articles · 5 Nov 2026, 09:31 → 8 days ago

Israeli government formation consultations: Yahadut HaTorah abstains and the Joint List recommends Eisenkot

The Israeli government formation consultations at President Isaac Herzog's office saw a series of party positions, most notably the Haredi Yahadut HaTorah party announcing it would not recommend any candidate, while the Arab Joint List announced its recommendation to task Gadi Eisenkot. According to a report carried by media outlets, Eisenkot reached 56 recommendations against 46 for Benjamin Netanyahu after the Ra'am party recommended him with its eight MKs.

📍 Where things stand: Consultations at the Israeli president's office continue after Eisenkot reached 56 recommendations against 46 for Netanyahu, with the Joint List announcing it would formally submit its recommendation this evening.

⏱️ Timeline

5 Nov 2026, 09:31 Yahadut HaTorah announced during a round of consultations at the Israeli president's office that it would not recommend any candidate for forming the government, despite pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yedioth Ahronoth quoted party leader Goldknopf telling President Isaac Herzog: "We are not committed to any bloc."
5 Nov 2026, 14:14 According to a report by The Times of Israel, Gadi Eisenkot reached 56 recommendations against 46 for Benjamin Netanyahu, after the Ra'am party announced that its eight MKs would recommend tasking Eisenkot, a step reinforced by Yahadut HaTorah's abstention from recommending any candidate. The abstention reflects a dispute over the law exempting yeshiva students from military service.
5 Nov 2026, 15:48 The head of the Joint List, Ahmad al-Tibi, said in a statement to Al Jazeera that his list would recommend tasking Gadi Eisenkot, with the aim of toppling the government of Benjamin Netanyahu and Itamar Ben-Gvir.
5 Nov 2026, 16:33 The Joint List announced it would submit to Israeli President Isaac Herzog this evening its decision to nominate Gadi Eisenkot to form the government, saying the decision comes in continuation of the broad popular support it has received, in response to popular demand to prevent Netanyahu and his government from returning to power, and in commitment to taking all possible steps to achieve this goal.
5 Nov 2026, 16:54 Al Jazeera reported that the Israeli president met the Arab Joint List within the consultations aimed at determining the person tasked with forming the Israeli government.
5 Nov 2026, 21:13 The head of the Joint List, Ahmad al-Tibi, told Al Jazeera that he was choosing between the bad and the lesser evil, and that he had recommended Eisenkot to topple Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.