United States
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
IrelandEisenkot's coalition options put Arab-led parties in focus
DW News examines three routes to a government, and why parliamentary recommendations do not yet amount to a governing coalition.
DW News
Story of Why this story? One of DW News's most watched videos since yesterday, with 209,891 views.
Israel's president gives Gadi Eisenkot first shot to form government | DW News
Things we can learn from the video
Press to jump
- 1:24Gordine explains why lawmakers' recommendations gave Eisenkot the first attempt despite Likud winning the most seats.
- 2:26Tel Aviv rally participants call for political change, an end to the war and cooperation with Arab lawmakers.
- 3:20Three options emerge: partnering with Arab-led parties, forming a minority government, or reaching an agreement with ultra-Orthodox factions.
- 5:00Gordine describes Netanyahu's opposition to an Arab-supported government and fractures among his allies.
- 6:33Failure to assemble a coalition could mean returning the mandate to Herzog or potentially facing another election.
Gadi Eisenkot has the first opportunity to form Israel's next government, but the parties that helped him secure that opportunity may not agree on how to use it.
DW News correspondent Emily Gordine sets out the distinction in a discussion with anchor Jared Reed: Eisenkot received more lawmakers' recommendations than Benjamin Netanyahu, even though Netanyahu's Likud won the most seats. Neither bloc secured a majority in last month's election, according to the report.
The segment adds a closer examination of Eisenkot's options to the announcement of President Isaac Herzog's decision. Gordine identifies three possible routes: a coalition involving Arab-led parties, a minority government, or an agreement with ultra-Orthodox factions. Each would require compromises among parties whose willingness to recommend Eisenkot does not necessarily extend to governing together.
Eisenkot's displayed statement calls for a national emergency government. Footage from Tel Aviv's Habima Square shows supporters urging him to assemble one, alongside calls to end the war. Political activist Alon-Lee Green argues that cooperation with Arab Palestinian lawmakers is necessary to prevent Netanyahu from continuing in office.
Gordine also describes Netanyahu's opposition to an Arab-supported government and divisions among his allies. The report closes by examining what could follow if Eisenkot cannot build a coalition, including returning the mandate to Herzog and the possibility of another election.
The video drew about 210,000 views since yesterday, the largest audience among DW News' new uploads over that period.
Leader of Israel's Yashar party and a former military chief. He was the main challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu in the 2026 election.
More on Wikipedia ›A major right-wing political party in Israel, founded in 1973.
More on Wikipedia ›Israel's president since 2021.
More on Wikipedia ›Published on Trari
Where next?
Is this your channel?For the channel's owners and team: a ready picture and text for your audience
Share the story with your audience. Everything is ready:
For an Instagram story or a WhatsApp status
For a community post or your channel's description
- Channel
- DW News
- Subscribers
- 6,500,000 ▲ 10,000 this week
- Channel views, last 7 days
- 19,786,821
- Channel views, pace per day
- 3,382,267 (on a normal day: 2,801,166)
- Video published
- November 8, 2026
- Video views so far
- 209,891 (less than a day online)
- Video views, pace per day
- 273,802
The numbers
This coalition explainer was DW News' most watched new video since yesterday.
💡 Test your knowledge
Which party did Gadi Eisenkot lead in Israel's 2026 election?
Eisenkot led Yashar into the 2026 Israeli legislative election.