Arab-led political parties in Israel have endorsed opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the country's next government, dealing a significant setback to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ra’am and the Joint List have joined other opposition parties in supporting Eisenkot, giving him an expected 67 recommendations in Israel’s 120-seat Knesset.

Meanwhile, United Torah Judaism, a longtime Netanyahu ally, declined to endorse either candidate.

President Isaac Herzog must now decide whom to task with forming a government. Despite Eisenkot’s advantage, building a governing coalition remains difficult, with disagreements over whether Arab-led parties could participate.

Netanyahu has not been replaced, and no new government has been formed.