After Bibi's Unity Plea, Israel's President Gives His Rival First Shot At Power Israeli President Isaac Herzog has given opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form a government , a setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose bloc finished 14 seats short of his rival's backers.
Herzog announced the decision Saturday night, a day earlier than expected, according to the Associated Press . The timing was pointed. AP reported that the announcement came shortly after Netanyahu released a video calling for a "national unity government" and warning against "hastily swearing in a government with terrorist supporters," an apparent reference to the Arab-led parties that now sit at the center of the count. 🇮🇱‼️🚨 NETANYAHU CALLS FOR A UNITY GOVERNMENT TO FIGHT IRAN Netanyahu just released a video calling for a "national unity government" of all national-camp and Zionist parties, saying it would permanently remove Iran's nuclear threat.