Netanyahu’s rival will have first shot at becoming Israel’s new prime minister — despite lackluster election result

Source: New York Post

Israel’s president on Saturday chose Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strongest rival, to try to form a new government following a deadlocked election that left neither man with a clear path to power. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, is fighting to stay in office after his religious-nationalist coalition lost its majority in an October 27 election but still emerged as the largest bloc in parliament. Eisenkot, a former military chief, has declined to join forces with Arab parties, whose support would give him a majority of seats in parliament.