Herzog formally gives Eisenkot first chance to form government

Per PBS/AP and ABC News, President Isaac Herzog formally gave Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form a government after the October 27 election produced no clear winner. Consultations reportedly showed 67 MKs recommending Eisenkot (including 19 from the two Arab parties) versus 46 for Netanyahu, per the president's office. Eisenkot has 28 days, extendable by 14, to assemble 61 of 120 seats and is pushing a national emergency government. Avigdor Lieberman is reported as a main obstacle to a coalition relying on Arab-party support.