Image source, Ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images
Eisencott, former chief of the Israeli Army, has given a big challenge to Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has been the Prime Minister of Israel for most of the last three decades.
The support of at least 61 MPs is necessary to form a government in Israel's 120-member Parliament. A total of 67 MPs from six political parties are said to be supporting Aisenkot.
Amid efforts to form a new government in Israel, Arab political parties have decided to support former military chief Gadi Eisencott. President Isaac Herzog has also invited him to form the government.
Gadi Aizencott will now have 28 days to try to form a new government, including a possible extension of 14 days.
Eisencott is a former commander of the Israeli Army and entered politics in the year 2022.
He also joined Netanyahu's war cabinet after Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, but later became a critic of Netanyahu.
He became a member of the Israeli Parliament from the National Unity Party. Later he left the party. He said that he had ideological differences with the party.
Last year, he separated from prominent opposition leaders and formed his own centrist party 'Yashar'. 'Yashar' means 'straight' or 'honest'.
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Aizencott, who lost his son and two nephews in the Gaza war, emphasized his military and security background during the election campaign.
But many of the issues he raised in the elections can become challenges for him. Take a look at some such challenges faced by them -
Image source, AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP via Getty Images
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1.Coalition government
In the elections held in Israel, caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party and its far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies won 53 seats in the 120-seat parliament.
While Eisencott's centrist Yashar Party and the three other Jewish opposition parties in their alliance got 48 seats.
To run a government this way, Aizencott would need the support of Arab parties. In the political picture of Israel, it will not be easy to run a government which is based on the support of Arab parties, because Arab parties can put brakes on many of its promises and old stance.
Whereas Aizencott is new in politics and it will not be easy for him to find a solution to the complicated political situation.
2. Israel's security
As Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu has often presented himself as a protector of Iran.
Netanyahu has always described Iran as the biggest threat to Jewish rule (Israel).
On February 28, 2026, Israel and America jointly attacked Iran. After these attacks, the situation in the Middle East has worsened and there has been a great concern about security in this region.
There has been no agreement between America and Iran in this conflict so far, hence the alleged threat to Israel that Netanyahu has been talking about still persists.
Aizencott will face a big challenge in dealing with the Iran issue.
Image source, MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
3.Impact of US midterm elections
Israel may also be affected by President Donald Trump's Republican Party in the midterm elections held in America.
In these elections, the Republican Party has lost its majority in both houses of the US Congress.
Many people believe that the biggest reason for this bad performance of Trump's party was the Iran war.
Iran has also raised the issue several times that America is at war with Israel and the burden is being put on the Americans.
If America changes its stance regarding the Iran war in the changed circumstances after the elections, it may affect the sense of security in Israel.
In this way, not only the political equation of Israel but also the steps of America situated hundreds of kilometers away from it can become a challenge for Eisencott.
4. Contest against Netanyahu
In recent years, Netanyahu has been surrounded by corruption allegations. He denies these allegations.
His way of dealing with the attacks of October 7, 2023 has also been criticized. Apart from this, his controversial plan for major changes in the judiciary had led to major protests in the country.
But Netanyahu is an expert player in Israeli politics and will remain a challenge to Eisencott.
Image source: Finn Gomez/Getty Images
An hour before President Herzog's decision was announced, Caretaker Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned that 'a possible coalition between opposition parties and Arab parties will lead to the collapse of the country.'
According to BBC Persian, Netanyahu said in a video message, "Such a government linked to Islamists will tear Israel apart from within, as is happening in European countries, and could create an even worse situation."
That means, even before forming a possible government, Netanyahu has started giving a message to the people about the future of Israel.
5. Israel's relations with the world
During the tenure of Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel has taken major action after the Hamas attack in Israeli areas on October 7, 2023.
During this period, many innocent people have also been killed in Israeli action.
Israeli military action has been criticized by many countries of the world and its relations with many countries have also deteriorated.
6.Expectations of Arab parties
If Arab parties have promised support to his government, then these parties may have their own expectations regarding the rights of Arab citizens and their own issues, especially in Israel.
These may also include demands for budget for ease of construction of new houses in the areas of Arab parties, security in Arab-dominated towns and other facilities.
It will not be easy for Israel to work on a new plan and budget amid the war with Iran and the ongoing conflict with Lebanon's Hezbollah.
7. Israeli campaign in Gaza
Eisencott's stance shows that he is not much different from Netanyahu in his policies on issues like Palestine, Gaza, the West Bank and Hamas.
But Arab parties may demand that the Israeli military operation in Gaza be stopped and if Aizencott takes any decision regarding Hamas or Gaza, then his other right-wing allies may stand against it.
Also, with any such step, Netanyahu may become active and Aizencott's government may face danger.
Image source, Reuters
8. Reconciliation with ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties
Ultra-Orthodox parties may insist that they want exemption from military conscription, while Eisencott's own policies differ on this.
He wants contribution from every section of the army for the security of Israel.
According to a report by BBC's Sebastian Asher, fierce protests were also seen on the streets of Israel recently regarding this issue. During this, fierce protesters were seen condemning the Israeli security forces, calling them "Nazis".
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews wearing white shirts, black fedora hats and long black coats stood in front of military police.
The dispute began in a building in the city of Modiin, located between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. A young ultra-Orthodox Jew (Haredi) lives here. He refused to appear for mandatory military service according to Israeli regulations. The police had come to arrest him in this connection.
Published by Collective Newsroom for the BBC.
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