In a statement on Thursday (5 November), the alliance said it would officially recommend to President Isaac Herzog on Thursday evening that Eisenkot be tasked with forming the government.

In this parliamentary election, Arab-majority parties won a record 19 seats. If the Joint List’s support is added in the 120-seat Knesset, total support for Eisenkot will stand at 67, which is more than the 61-seat majority required to form a government.

In the election held on 27 October, neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Eisenkot achieved the required majority. President Herzog is consulting with parties on who should be tasked with forming the government. According to established practice, whoever receives support from the most parties is generally tasked with forming the government.

Meanwhile, the religious party United Torah Judaism, which supported Netanyahu in the previous five elections, did not recommend him for prime minister this time, but also did not take a position in favor of Eisenkot. Former military chief Eisenkot entered the election promising to restore national unity.