Israel’s Herzog to announce Sunday who will try to form government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he would announce on Sunday whom he would ask to try to form Israel's next government, according to reports published November 5 by Anadolu Agency and Middle East Eye.

Both outlets attributed the recommendation figures to Herzog: 67 lawmakers backed Gadi Eisenkot, while 46 supported Benjamin Netanyahu. Anadolu identified Eisenkot as the opposition leader; Middle East Eye identified Netanyahu as prime minister.

Seven lawmakers abstained, Middle East Eye reported. It said Herzog's announcement followed consultations with all party leaders after the election and that he set out his plans in a video message.

Herzog's stated next step is to select someone to attempt to assemble a government, rather than announce that a government has already been formed. His decision on who will receive that task is due on Sunday.

Anadolu reported that coalition prospects were still uncertain. Although Eisenkot received more recommendations than Netanyahu, Herzog's reported statement left the choice of whom to task with forming a government for the forthcoming announcement.