Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, declared that Israel is in a state of emergency after President Isaac Herzog formally gave him the mandate to form the next government on Sunday. He said Israel needs new leadership "as much as it needs air to breathe" and called for a swift national emergency government that commands a large majority in the Knesset. Eisenkot says it would rest on four principles: recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, acceptance of the values of the Declaration of Independence, a service obligation for all, and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization with a commitment to dismantle its military and governing capabilities. He has said any party or lawmaker who accepts those principles can join.

Eisenkot won recommendations from factions representing 67 Knesset members, compared with 46 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He now has 28 days to form a government of at least 61 members, with a possible 14-day extension, or up to 42 days in all. The core of his plan is the four parties of the opposition change camp, which together won 48 seats, so he will need support from other factions to reach a majority. Netanyahu has called for a national unity government instead and warned against a government that depends on Arab-led parties, while Eisenkot's camp says Likud would have to accept his principles first. The big question is whether Eisenkot can turn the wide recommendation tally into a stable 61-seat coalition before the clock runs out.